Aspirin for primary prevention of coronary events.

A 45-year-old man with a strong family history of premature heart disease has no symptoms of coronary disease and has a normal electrocardiogram. A fasting lipid analysis reveals a total cholesterol level of 225 mg per deciliter (5.8 mmol per liter), a high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 35 mg per deciliter (0.9 mmol per liter), a triglyceride level of 150 mg per deciliter (1.7 mmol per liter), and a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 160 mg per deciliter (4.1 mmol per liter). The man's resting systolic blood pressure is 125 mm Hg, and he has never taken any medications for hypertension. He is a nonsmoker and is physically active. Should he be advised to take aspirin to reduce his risk of coronary events?