Drugs & Supplements

Does Aspirin Lower Blood Pressure?

People are curious to know does Aspirin lower blood pressure. Various studies say that aspirin lowers blood pressure if taken at the right time. The best time to take aspirin for better results is nighttime. It is essential to consult with your doctor before taking aspirin because he will guide you about the side effects and proper dosage of aspirin in particular conditions.

Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and prevents clot formation in patients with myocardial infarction. Aspirin helps in preventing clot formation and, as a result, reduces the risk of heart disease. Now in this article let’s know the answer to does aspirin lower blood pressure in details. Aspirin is taken in the following conditions:

  • Common Cold
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Toothache
  • Arthritis
  • Muscle ache

This article will focus upon answer to does aspirin lower blood pressure and when to take aspirin for heart conditions. 

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure or hypertension is when your blood pressure remains high or above normal. The blood pressure is normal when diastolic pressure is less than 80 and systolic pressure is less than 120. Blood pressure 130-139 systolic and 80-89 diastolic is considered high. But does aspirin lower blood pressure?

Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure

Does Asprin lower blood pressure has been questioned by people and it seems to help to manage high blood pressure. Knowing who is at more risk of high blood pressure is vital. Knowing the risk factors will help identify the disease’s root cause. Let’s discuss each in detail.

Obesity

Being obese or overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure. Obesity invites other diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. The obese person’s oxygen and nutrient demand increases, and as a result, the volume of blood increases; this increase in volume causes an increase in arterial pressure.

Increase Consumption of Salt

Consuming too much salt in a meal increases your blood pressure. Kidneys maintain sodium and water balance in the body. However, increased salt intake disturbs this balance and causes more sodium in the body. As a result, the volume of blood increases and leads to increased pressure. 

Sedentary Lifestyle

A healthy and active lifestyle keeps you fit and boosts your energy level. A sedentary and inactive lifestyle gets you in trouble and makes you vulnerable to countless diseases such as heart attack, diabetes, and stroke. Exercise and daily workouts make your heart healthy.

Stress

Stress and anxiety cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. It does not affect you directly but has an impact on your blood pressure.

If somebody is having all these risk factors, it is then important to prevent having any diseases from high blood pressure. It is when this question comes, does aspirin lower blood pressure.

Things to Remember Before Start Taking Aspirin

  • You cannot take a few medications with aspirin. Such as ibuprofen with aspirin causes bleeding. It is vital to consult your healthcare provider about what medication you should avoid taking while on aspirin therapy.
  • If you consume alcohol, your healthcare provider has prescribed aspirin to lower your blood pressure. Ask your doctor how much you can drink per day.
  • If you are going through any surgical procedure, ask your doctor when you should stop taking aspirin.

When to Take Aspirin for Lowering Blood Pressure?

Take Aspirin at Bedtime

High Blood pressure could lead to many health complications, and it is vital to lower your blood pressure to live a healthy life. Aspirin has proved to be effective in lowering blood pressure if taken at bedtime. Taking aspirin in the morning would not lower your blood pressure. Various studies suggest that low-dose aspirin is effective in lowering blood pressure. It is not clear yet why aspirin works best at bedtime, but it is believed that the gastrointestinal tract absorbs aspirin better at night. This is something to keep in mind while knowing does aspirin lower blood pressure.

Take Low-Dose Aspirin

Low-dose aspirin is effective in lowering your blood pressure. High-dose aspirin could worsen the situation. Taking aspirin for the long term is not advisable; it is essential to talk to a doctor if you are taking aspirin for blood pressure. He will guide you and adjust your aspirin dosage according to your heart health. You will also get to know the answer to does aspirin lower blood pressure better.

Why Should You Take Aspirin Daily?

Aspirin has anti-clotting effects, and it slows down the clotting activity of platelets. In atherosclerosis, the fatty deposit builds up in your arteries. This fatty deposit can tear, and this fatty deposit can expose your blood to the inner wall; as a result, it clots. This clot stops blood to the heart and causes a heart attack. Aspirin reduces clotting and prevents a heart attack.

Aspirin reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. If your healthcare provider has prescribed aspirin for you, you may be at risk of the following conditions:

  • In case of heart attack or stroke in the past
  • You are having coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease
  • When there is a risk of preeclampsia in pregnancy

Side Effects of Aspirin

Now that you know the answer to does aspirin lower blood pressure, let’s see few important side effects of aspirin that we must know. Every drug has side effects, but aspirin does not have serious side effects. If you suspect any side effects, consult your doctor right away.

Nausea and Vomiting: If you have persistent nausea and vomiting, consult your doctor immediately.

GI Bleeding: In rare cases, aspirin causes bleeding from the stomach or intestine. If you have abdominal or stomach pain, contact your doctor immediately and stop taking aspirin.

Kidney Problems: You will notice a change in the amount and color of urine.

Vision: Sometimes, it can cause vision changes and severe headaches.

Allergic Reaction: If you suspect fever, rash, itching, or sore throat, seek medical help and consult your doctor right away.

Besides knowing the answer to does aspirin lower blood pressure, these are the side effects of this drug that you should know.

Read more: 5 Exercises to Lose Weight for People With High Blood Pressure

Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

Lifestyle changes and medications reduce your blood pressure. Our unhealthy habits and inactive lifestyles put us at risk of cardiac diseases. The answer to does aspirin lower blood pressure may not just be sufficient to lower blood pressure. You would want to do more to lower your blood pressure. The following changes in diet and lifestyle will lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health:

Exercise More

Exercise makes your heart strong and keeps you fit. Do a workout for half an hour or walk every day. Aerobic and resistance activity helps lower blood pressure.

Consume less salt

It is advisable for patients diagnosed with hypertension to consume less salt. Reduce intake of salt in meals to lower your blood pressure.

Get Enough Sleep

Proper sleep lowers your blood pressure. Sleeping less than five hours increases your blood pressure. Various studies suggest that getting enough sleep impacts your blood pressure. Sleeping seven hours a day reduces your blood pressure.

Consume Garlic

Garlic has some magical effects of lowering your blood pressure. Increase your intake of garlic or garlic extract if you want to reduce your blood pressure naturally.

Increase Intake of Protein-Rich Foods

Diet is the first thing that creates a huge imbalance in your body if not taken correctly. A diet rich in proteins helps in lowering blood pressure. Take 100 grams of protein diet a day and reduce blood pressure. After balancing your diet, Monitor your blood pressure to see the changes.

Take Medications

Your doctor prescribes some medications to lower your blood pressure. Take medications on time as a doctor advises if your blood pressure is uncontrolled.

Lose Weight

Losing weight not only improves your quality of life, but it may help reduce blood pressure. If you are obese, you are likely at risk of cardiovascular diseases and other problems.

Avoid Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption increases your blood pressure. It is advisable to quit alcohol to lower your blood pressure.

Besides the focus of this article does aspirin lower blood pressure, these all above ways can help you lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health.

Conclusion

An unhealthy heart is a sign that you might suffer from other cardiovascular diseases. So, the answer of the does Aspirin lower blood pressure seems to be answered through this post.

Asprin lower blood pressure but this effect of aspirin is still debated. Aspirin works well if you had a heart attack or stroke in the past and you do not want to experience the same episode of heart attack in the future. If you are taking aspirin, but there is no reduction in your blood pressure, try to take aspirin at bedtime, and it is better to take low-dose aspirin to get better results. Aspirin therapy, lifestyle modification, and diet changes will lower your blood pressure. Take good care of your heart! 

FAQs

Does aspirin lower blood pressure in pregnancy?

Some studies support the idea that low-dose aspirin lowers the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a condition in which blood pressure becomes high during pregnancy.

Is it safe to take aspirin with anti-hypertensive drugs?

Yes, it is suggested that low-dose aspirin should be taken because it does not affect the blood pressure lowering effects of anti-hypertensive drugs.

When to start aspirin for hypertension?

In pre-hypertension or mild conditions, aspirin should be taken before bedtime to lower blood pressure.

Can aspirin raise blood pressure?

Aspirin increases blood pressure, but if taken at bedtime and at a low dose, it lowers blood pressure.

Dr. Rahul Kushwaha

Rahul Kumar Kushwaha, MBBS, is an intern doctor at a prestigious college in Bangladesh, North East Medical College, situated in South SurmaPamila, on the outskirts of Sylhet, Bangladesh. He is one of the team members and Founder of WOMS and has been working since the beginning of WOMS. Similarly, he is also the founder of the pregnancy journey app and the auscultation world app.

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