A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Enteric-Coated Acetylsalicylic Acid in Patients at Moderate Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Inclusion Criteria:

Males aged 55 years and above with 2 to 4 risk factors. Male Risk Factors:

Elevated cholesterol (Tchol>200 mg/dL or LDL>130 mg/dL; as measured at screening) irrespective of current treatment
Current smoking: defined as any cigarette smoking in the past 12 months
Low HDL cholesterol (HDL<40 mg/dL; as measured at screening)
Elevated blood pressure (SBP>140 mmHg; as measured at screening)
Currently on any medication to treat high blood pressure
Positive family history of early CHD (a first-degree relative [father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter] suffered a heart attack [myocardial infarction] before the age of 60 years)

Females aged 60 and above with 3 or more risk factors. Female Risk Factors:

Elevated cholesterol (Tchol>240 mg/dL or LDL>160 mg/dL; as measured at screening) irrespective of current treatment
Current smoking: defined as any cigarette smoking in the past 12 months
Low HDL cholesterol (HDL<40 mg/dL; as measured at screening)
Elevated blood pressure (SBP>140 mmHg; as measured at screening)
Currently on any medication to treat high blood pressure
Positive family history of early CHD (a first-degree relative [father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter] suffered a heart attack [myocardial infarction] before the age of 60 years)
An understanding and willingness to comply with trial procedures and has given written informed consent to participate in the trial

Exclusion Criteria:

History of a documented vascular event, such as MI, stroke, coronary artery angioplasty or stenting, coronary artery bypass graft, relevant arrhythmias, or congestive heart failure or vascular intervention
Patients who are at higher than moderate risk on the basis of their diabetes status, other factors known to the investigator, or the currently used national risk score
Known contraindications to the study drug, e.g. hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid
Recent (in the past year) history of gastrointestinal or genitourinary bleeding or other bleeding disorders
Active diagnosed and documented reflux esophagitis
Patients presenting with any medical condition, or psychiatric or substance abuse disorder, that, in the opinion of the investigator, is likely to affect the patient's ability to complete the study or precludes the patient's participation in the study
Lactating women or women of childbearing potential
Severe liver disease or damage based on the clinical judgment of the investigator
Severe renal disease or damage based on the clinical judgement of the investigator
A definite indication for acetylsalicylic acid therapy, other antiplatelet drug, or anticoagulant in the opinion of the physician
A history of asthma induced by administration of salicylates or substances with a similar action, notably NSAIDS
Chronic, frequent (> 5 days/month) use of NSAIDs (including aspirin, or aspirin containing products), COX-2 inhibitors or metamizole
Current participation in any other trials involving investigational products within 30 days prior to the Screening Visit
Current use of an anticoagulant medication
Sitting systolic blood pressure greater than 170 mmHg