(May 12, 2009 - Insidermedicine) Aspirin may not be as beneficial for those with peripheral artery disease as it is for those with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Here is some information on peripheral artery disease:

•    Also known as PAD, it is a disease of the arteries outside the heart and brain associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events.

•    The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis.

•    The most common symptom is painful cramping in the hips, thighs, or calves, usually occurring with physical activity.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed data on over 5,000 individuals with PAD who participated in one of 18 randomized, controlled trials. In these trials, the participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of aspirin or a placebo.

Cardiovascular events occurred in 9% of patients taking aspirin and 11% of those on placebo. This translates to a non-statistically significant 12% risk reduction among those taking aspirin. Only the risk for non-fatal stroke was significantly diminished among those taking aspirin.

Today's research suggests that the cardiovascular benefits of taking aspirin daily may be limited to the prevention of non-fatal stroke in patients with PAD.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.