President Donald Trump is facing scrutiny over his aspirin regimen, as health experts express concerns regarding its appropriateness for his age and health status. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump indicated that he takes a larger dose of aspirin to thin his blood, despite recommendations from his doctors to reduce the dosage.
During a segment on CNN’s “The Lead,” Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist who previously treated former Vice President Dick Cheney, stated that Trump’s approach “makes no sense.” According to Reiner, the notion that aspirin can simply make blood “thinner” is misleading. He clarified, “When we use any kind of anticoagulant, those don’t thin the blood. It makes you less likely to clot.”
The American Heart Association (AHA) supports Reiner’s view, noting that individuals over the age of 70, like Trump, taking aspirin for the prevention of a first heart attack or stroke could be at greater risk of bleeding complications. Trump’s age, at 79, makes him the oldest person to assume the presidency.
In the same interview, Trump mentioned his desire for “nice, thin blood pouring through my heart” and dismissed concerns about his health. He revealed that he underwent a CT scan for cardiovascular and abdominal imaging at Walter Reed Medical Center in October 2023. Following these tests, Trump stated he had a cognitive assessment and an MRI scan, which he described as “perfect.”
Reflecting on the decision to undergo these tests, Trump commented, “I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t it, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong.”
His physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, clarified last month that the scans were performed as a standard procedure for men in Trump’s age group, aimed at ensuring comprehensive evaluations of cardiovascular and abdominal health. Barbabella characterized this assessment as “standard for an executive physical at President Trump’s age.”
As health discussions continue, the implications of Trump’s aspirin use and the medical advice he receives remain a topic of interest, particularly given his public profile and the attention on his overall health as he navigates his presidency.
