Trump says he takes a larger daily aspirin dose; how that compares with medical guidance

United States President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he takes a higher daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend. In the interview, Trump said he takes 325 mg of aspirin every day for cardiac prevention, a dosage described by his physician as at the high end for that purpose.

“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump told the newspaper. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” He added that his medical team would prefer a smaller dose but that he has taken the larger one for years and that it causes bruising.

Trump, 79, is the second oldest person to serve as US president after Joe Biden, who was 82 when he left office in January and pulled out of his re-election campaign in 2024 amid rising concerns about his health.

The president’s disclosure about his aspirin use comes amid public attention to bruising observed on his hands. In July, he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt described as a “benign and common condition” in which damaged veins prevent blood from flowing properly. Leavitt said the bruises were “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”

The Wall Street Journal report also mentioned a recent imaging scan. The White House said the scan was “preventative.” The WSJ said the president and his doctor reported a CT scan, while Trump described it as “less than that. It was a scan.”

What aspirin is and how it works

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has antiplatelet, or blood‑thinning, properties. It is available over the counter or by prescription and is commonly used for pain, fever and inflammation related to immune responses.

At low doses, aspirin is prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes because it inhibits the production of thromboxane A2 within platelets. Thromboxane A2 signals platelets to clump together; when its production is reduced, platelets are less likely to form clots that can block blood flow to the heart or brain.

Side effects and clinical guidance

Common side effects of aspirin include mild indigestion and an increased tendency to bleed. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service advises contacting a doctor for serious side effects such as coughing up blood or yellowing of the whites of the eyes. Long‑term or high‑dose use can also lead to ulcers in the stomach or gut.

Typical dosing varies by indication. The NHS notes that aspirin is usually available in 300 mg tablets, with a typical pain or fever regimen of one or two tablets every four to six hours. For cardiovascular prevention, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends much lower daily doses — typically 81 mg per day — for adults aged 40 to 59 who are at risk of cardiovascular disease.

The USPSTF has cautioned that the cardiovascular benefit of aspirin diminishes with advancing age as the risk of excessive bleeding rises. The panel has said that clinicians and patients should consider stopping aspirin use around age 75. Health information sources cited by the report note that physicians may recommend daily aspirin doses between 81 mg and 325 mg for people who have had, or are at risk of, heart attacks or strokes.

Aspirin toxicity and overdose

Medical literature distinguishes between acute and chronic aspirin toxicity. Acute poisoning can be classified by the amount ingested relative to body weight:

• Mild poisoning: less than 300 mg per kilogram of body weight taken in a single dose.
• Moderate poisoning: 300–500 mg per kilogram in a single dose.
• Severe poisoning: more than 500 mg per kilogram in a single dose.

For context, one example given is that a person weighing 90 kg who took 45,000 mg of aspirin in a single dose would likely face a life‑threatening situation.

Chronic toxicity can occur when someone takes aspirin regularly over a long period, depending on how well their kidneys and liver clear the drug. Symptoms of overdose or toxicity can include burning throat pain, decreased urination, double vision, drowsiness, fever, hallucinations, nervousness, restlessness, tinnitus or inability to hear, seizures, stomach pain, uncontrollable shaking and vomiting.

An aspirin overdose can have rapid and severe consequences. It can cause the blood to become dangerously acidic, disrupt normal body functions, lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs that impairs breathing, raise body temperature and cause heart, kidney and other organ failure. In severe cases, death can occur within a day.

In his interview, Trump acknowledged that taking the larger aspirin dose can cause bruising. His physician described the 325 mg daily dose he takes as intended for cardiac prevention and at the higher end of dosing for that purpose. Medical guidance cited in reports emphasizes lower doses for primary prevention in many people and recommends clinicians and patients weigh benefits and bleeding risks, especially with advancing age.

Key Topics

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