A large study published in the prestigious medical journal “The Lancet” and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid revealed that the commonly prescribed blood thinner “Clopidogrel” outperforms aspirin without additional risks.

The comprehensive study, led by an international medical team from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan, analyzed data from nearly 29,000 patients suffering from coronary artery disease. The results showed that Clopidogrel was more effective in preventing serious cardiac complications without increasing the risk of major bleeding.

Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease, affecting over 300 million people worldwide.

These findings challenge the traditional medical recommendation that has for decades endorsed aspirin as the primary treatment for cardiovascular disease prevention for millions of patients globally.

The study revealed that patients taking Clopidogrel had a 14% lower chance of experiencing serious complications—such as heart attacks, strokes, or death from heart disease—compared to those taking aspirin.

Importantly, rates of major bleeding problems were similar between the two drugs, dispelling concerns that Clopidogrel might lead to more bleeding complications.

The research team stated, “These results support preferring Clopidogrel over aspirin for chronic antiplatelet therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease.”

Experts emphasize that the wide availability and affordable pricing of Clopidogrel support its broad adoption in clinical practice.