Daily Aspirin May Improve Blood Pressure in Some Patients

Data presented at a recent meeting of the American Society of Hypertension suggests that aspirin might play a larger role in the control of high blood pressure than was previously thought.

While doctors have long known that a daily, low dose aspirin can help thin the blood and protect against heart attacks in at-risk patients, new data suggests that the same daily dose might help control pre-hypertension. The catch? It only works if taken right before bed.

The researchers tracked about 250 patients with early hypertension who were told to take the same dose of aspirin either before bed or right after waking up. In the group taking the night-time dose, blood pressure fell by a significant amount. In the daytime group, there was no decrease in pressure.

Further trials will be needed before aspirin becomes a standard part of hypertension therapy.