Trump Says He Will Continue Taking High-Dose Daily Aspirin Despite Medical Advice

By Ginika Igboke

President Donald Trump confirmed in a recent interview that he takes a higher-than-recommended daily dose of aspirin and indicated he plans to continue the regimen for its blood-thinning effects.

In an interview published Jan. 1, Trump said his doctors have advised him to reduce his daily aspirin intake after it was revealed that he takes 325 milligrams per day—well above the commonly recommended low dose of 81 milligrams. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, said the president takes the medication to help prevent cardiac issues.

“They’d rather have me take the smaller one,” Trump said, explaining that he has chosen to stay with the higher dose he has taken for years. He acknowledged that the larger dose causes bruising but added that he believes aspirin helps keep his blood thin, which he considers important for heart health.

For many years, medical professionals recommended a daily 81-milligram dose of aspirin for older adults to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, that guidance changed in 2019 when new recommendations from major cardiology organizations warned that routine aspirin use could increase the risk of internal and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Health officials have noted that aspirin can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of ulcers and bleeding, particularly for individuals already at higher risk. Current guidelines generally recommend daily low-dose aspirin only for people with a personal history of heart attack or stroke.

Trump, who turns 80 in June, said he has taken a 325-milligram aspirin daily for about 25 years, describing the habit as partly rooted in superstition.

During the interview, Trump and Barbabella also clarified that the president recently underwent a CT scan—not an MRI—as part of a cardiovascular evaluation. Barbabella said the scan was conducted to rule out any heart-related concerns and showed no abnormalities.

Trump also addressed his decision to undergo abdominal and cardiovascular scans last October, saying the tests ultimately confirmed that nothing was wrong.

At the beginning of the interview, Trump joked about repeated questions regarding his health, saying it was “perfect.” He added that he feels energetic and credited his vitality to genetics, noting that both of his parents remained active into old age.

“Genetics are very important,” he said. “And I have very good genetics.”