US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that he takes a higher daily dose of aspirin than doctors typically recommend, saying he prefers to continue a routine he has followed for more than two decades for what his physician describes as cardiac prevention.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump said he consumes a full-strength aspirin daily and has declined repeated medical advice to switch to a lower dose. While doctors have urged caution, Trump said the practice has become part of his long-standing health regimen.

According to the report, Trump’s daily aspirin use has resulted in frequent bruising, a known side effect of higher-dose aspirin. Despite this, he expressed reluctance to change. “I’m a little superstitious,” Trump said, explaining that he believes the medication plays a role in protecting his heart.

Trump said he views aspirin as beneficial for blood thinning and reducing cardiac strain. “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” he told the newspaper, adding that he prefers to maintain what he described as “nice, thin blood.”

Trump’s physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, told the Journal that the president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for “cardiac prevention.” By comparison, low-dose aspirin commonly prescribed for heart health is typically 81 milligrams, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Barbabella said Trump has been advised to lower the dosage but has chosen not to do so. Trump acknowledged that while doctors prefer he take the smaller dose, he has continued with the higher one because of his long-term experience with it.

The discussion around aspirin use comes amid renewed public scrutiny of Trump’s health. During the interview, Trump said he regretted undergoing advanced medical imaging last year, suggesting it sparked unnecessary speculation. “In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition,” he said.

Barbabella confirmed that Trump underwent a CT scan — not an MRI — at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The scan, he said, was conducted to rule out cardiovascular issues and showed no abnormalities. The White House declined to make the physician available for further comment.

The Journal also reported that Trump briefly tried wearing compression socks to address swelling in his lower legs but discontinued their use because he disliked them.

Barbabella said Trump remains in “exceptional health” and is fully capable of carrying out his duties as Commander in Chief. White House officials have also noted that the president maintains a demanding schedule.

Trump, now 79, has frequently attributed his health to what he calls his “very good genetics.” Aspirin continues to be widely used in the United States for heart-related prevention, though medical guidance varies based on individual risk factors.