A prominent cardiologist and CNN medical analyst has publicly questioned the rationale behind former U.S. President Donald Trump's daily use of a high dose of aspirin, calling the practice medically unsound and potentially hazardous.
Medical Expert Challenges Trump's Reasoning
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, who served as a cardiologist for the late former Vice President Dick Cheney, responded on Friday to Trump's recent explanation for his aspirin regimen. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, the 79-year-old Trump stated he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily against his doctors' advice, claiming, "I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart."
Reiner countered this logic, explaining that blood thinners like aspirin do not literally "thin" the blood. "It's not like changing something from gumbo to chicken soup," he said. "It doesn't make it thinner. It makes you less likely to clot."
Outdated Advice and Significant Bleeding Risks
Reiner highlighted a critical shift in medical guidance over the years. While aspirin was once commonly recommended for primary prevention of heart attacks, that advice has changed, especially for individuals over 70. "Not only is there no benefit in terms of just primary prevention... there can be hazard," Reiner warned. "And the hazard can be bleeding, significant bleeding."
The dosage itself is a major point of concern. Trump reportedly takes 325 mg daily, but Reiner noted that the standard dose for patients with documented coronary artery disease is a quarter of that, at 81 mg per day. "So why is the president taking an unorthodox dose of aspirin?" Reiner asked.
Visible Bruising and Dismissed Concerns
The potential side effects of this high dosage have been visibly apparent. Trump has frequently been seen with bruises on his hands, often using bandages or concealer to cover them. A White House statement has attributed the bruising to aspirin use and frequent handshaking.
However, The Wall Street Journal reported "several instances" where his hand was cut, leading to bleeding that "alarmed" witnesses. One incident occurred at the 2024 Republican National Convention when a high-five with future Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was wearing a ring, nicked Trump's hand. Trump dismissed it as a "slight little cut."
Despite his doctors advising him to switch to the lower 81 mg dose, Trump admitted to ignoring them, stating he is "a little superstitious." This revelation left Reiner baffled. "If you were bruising a lot, and your doctor says you're on too much aspirin, why wouldn't you go down to the lower dose?" he wondered. "It makes no sense to me."
