Statistically, Not Enough People Take Statins Too many people are taking aspirin for heart health when it may not be effective for them. Statins may be a better option for many people looking for heart healthy choices than more commonly recommended aspirin, according to UConn Health researchers (Getty Images). Copy Link Too many people take aspirin to prevent heart disease, and not enough people take statins, UConn Health researchers report in the February 17 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The results are especially significant for people aged 75 and older. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. Often simply called heart disease, cardiovascular disease is an illness of the blood vessels, both inside and outside of the heart. The blood vessels become irritated and narrowed by fatty deposits. Occasionally they clog completely, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.