Aspirin has been proven to be a cost effective pain killer, an anti-inflammatory, and a protection against negative outcomes from cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks, and stroke.

Doctors have been routinely prescribing daily intake of baby aspirin to patients at risk for cardiovascular disease complications. In this instance, aspiring works by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins which are chemicals that cause blood cells to stick together. Thus, aspirin actually works as a blood thinner preventing the formation of clots which are extremely dangerous.

In addition to it's already known heart health benefits, aspirin is also being considered as a blood pressure lowering agent. A study conducted in Spain reveals that a daily low dose of aspirin can actually lower blood pressure in pregnant women at risk for high blood pressure, and in people with high blood pressure.

In the study, volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. One group received advice about lifestyle treatment of hypertension, the second received the same advice plus 100 mg of aspirin every morning, and the third was given lifestyle advice plus 100 mg of aspirin at bedtime.

 

Study Results
1. The group that was assigned lifestyle therapy alone did not experience lowered blood pressure. This is not to say that lifestyle changes is not an effective way to lower blood pressure. Although not surprising, the lifestyle group simply did not succeed in losing weight, reducing their sodium intake, or increasing their exercise.

2.  Low-dose morning aspirin did affect blood pressure, but in the wrong direction. Participants experienced a slight increase in blood pressure averaging only 2.6 mm Hg systolic and 1.6 mm Hg diastolic.

3. The group that was assigned low-dose bedtime aspirin had a dramatically different effect, lowering their systolic pressure by 6.8 mm Hg, and diastolic pressure by 4.6 mm Hg.  While these numbers may seem small,  if sustained, they could reduce the risk of dying from heart attacks and strokes by 20% to 30%.

Aspirin Therapy Is Not For Everyone
Continued use of aspirin can have side effects that may go undetected for a long time, and which can result in stomach and intestinal complications. It’s important to get your doctor’s okay before taking any over-the-counter medications including aspirin.

If you are not currently taking aspirin, but are wondering whether or not it can help your high blood pressure, check with your doctor  as there are certain people who should not take aspirin because of its increased risk for bleeding