-According to an article in the latest issue of the American Journal of Hypertension,
Aspirin can lower blood pressure.
· High blood pressure is a significant health concern affecting over 50 million Americans.
· Investigators of the current study looked at whether taking a low-dose aspirin at bedtime lowered blood pressure in people with borderline high blood pressure (prehypertension).
The study included 244 people with borderline high blood pressure and an average age of 43 years.
Aspirin 100 mg taken at bedtime lowered systolic blood pressure by six points and diastolic blood pressure by three points.

· Aspirin taken in the mornings did not appear to have an effect in blood pressure.

· Aspirin likely affects blood pressure by lowering levels of angiotensin II, a chemical that increases blood pressure.
Higher doses of Aspirin are known to elevate blood pressure by inhibiting prostaglandins in the renal artery.

· This study shows us an additional benefit of aspirin: lowering blood pressure.
People taking aspirin to protect against heart disease and risk of stroke and have borderline or prehypertension may be helped by the easy adjustment of taking the aspirin at nighttime.

Cristopher Geiler, M.D.
Reference
Am J Hypertens 2009;22:896-903.