Donald Trump, the 80-year-old U.S. President, recently confirmed his commitment to a daily 325-milligram aspirin regimen. While the White House desribes the habit as a cardiac prevention measure, the president admitted the practice is driven largely by superstition and psychological comfort.
The 325-milligram habit and the role of superstition
President Donald Trump takes a full 325-milligram dose of aspirin every day, a figure significantly higher than the 81-milligram "low-dose" typically prescribed for heart patients. As Newsweek reported, Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday that he continues the habit despite not knowing if the medication actually works, stating, "psychologically, I need it."
The president's preference for the higher dose stems from a desire to avoid "thick blood" pouring through his heart. According to the report, Donald Trump has maintained this specific dosage for approximately 25 years, citing a personal superstition that links the long-term habit to his current longevity.
Why the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force warns against aspirin for those over 60
The medical community has largely shifted away from the blanket recommendation of daily aspirin for older adults. The U.S . Preventive Services Task Force specifically recommends against daily aspirin use to prevent a first heart attack or stroke in adults aged 60 and older, as the risk of internal bleeding often outweighs any potential cardiovascular benefit.
The Mayo Clinic echoes this caution, noting that while aspirin is effective for "secondary prevention"—meaning it helps those who have already suffered a stroke or heart attack—its use for primary prevention is highly debated. For an 80-year-old like Donald Trump, the Mayo Clinic warns that daily use can lead to severe side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding.
Hand bruising and the use of makeup to hide side effects
The physical toll of blood-thinning medication has become visible on the president's person. Donald Trump has acknowledged that his aspirin use makes him bruise more easily, specifically noting bruising on his hands. To manage the public perception of these marks, Donald Trump admitted to using makeup that takes about 10 seconds to apply.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has attempted to downplay these symptoms, suggesting to reporters that the marks are consistent with frequent handshaking. However, the underlying medical reality remains that high-dose aspirin inhibits the ability of blood platelets to form clots, making even minor impacts result in visible bruising.
Dr. Sean Barbabella's claim of excellent metabolic health
Despite the risks associated with high-dose aspirin, the president's physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, maintains that Donald Trump is in strong physical condition. Dr. Sean Barbabella confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that the 325-milligram dose is intended for "cardiac prevention" and asserted that the president's cardiovascular health tests significantly younger than his actual age.
Dr. sean Barbabella further claimed that medical evaluations of Donald Trump show "excellent metabolic health." This internal White House assessment stands in contrast to the general guidelines provided by national health organizations, creating a tension between personalized presidential care and standard geriatric medical practice.
Whether Donald Trump has a history of prior cardiovascular events
A critical piece of information remains missing from the public record: whether Donald Trump has previously experienced a heart attack or stroke. because the Mayo Clinic and other experts distinguish between "primary" and "secondary" prevention, the safety of his 325-milligram dose depends entirely on his medical history.
If Donald Trump has no history of cardiovascular disease, his regimen contradicts the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for his age group. The White House has not explicitly confirmed or denied a prior cardiovascular event, leaving the medical necessity of the high dose unverified by independent clinical standards.
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