How Does Aspirin Affect Blood Pressure

When To Seek Care

If you have diabetes and are concerned about your cardiovascular risk, ask your doctor about daily aspirin. They can help you decide if it may be beneficial in your individual situation.

Dont take daily aspirin before talking with your doctor first. Its possible it may not be recommended for you, particularly if you dont have a previous history of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke.

You may also want to talk with your doctor before using daily aspirin if you:

• are over the age of 70
• have a risk of bleeding events like GI bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke
• are planning to have any medical or dental procedures
• have had a previous allergic reaction to aspirin

When to seek emergency care

Its important to be able to recognize the signs of a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or a stroke so you can seek medical attention.

Will Aspirin Affect My Blood Glucose Levels If I Have Diabetes

Will aspirin affect my blood glucose levels if I have diabetes? Aspirin itself will not affect your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes. However, aspirin can have serious side effects it can damage the lining of your stomach, and this can lead to painful ulcers. This stress on your body could cause your blood glucose levels to rise. Therefore, if you are taking aspirin and have stomach pain that wont go away, ringing in your ears or higher than normal blood glucose levels, go see your doctor immediately. What is the difference between aspirin low-dose and regular aspirin? Aspirin low-dose is a reduced dosage version of regular strength aspirin. Regular strength aspirin is 325 mg. Aspirin low-dos If you are taking aspirin low-dose regularly to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, you should take this medication Should I take an aspirin if I am having heart attack symptoms? If you believe you are having a heart attack, the first thing you should do is call 911, followed by taking an aspirin. Watch How can I avoid side effects if I take aspirin to prevent heart disease? If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart disease, the most common side effect is stomach upset the most serious is stomach Continue reading > >

• Daily Aspirin: Worth the Risks?

What it DoesWhos at Risk?

Why Take Aspirin To Lower Blood Pressure

For decades, many doctors have recommended aspirin to patients at high risk of heart disease as a way to reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke.

But what about high blood pressure?

This condition increases the chances of a heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues, so you may think its smart to take aspirin to lower hypertension.

However, taking aspirin not only isnt linked to blood pressure benefits, it also isnt suitable for everyone and may increase the risk of some health problems.

To help you stay safe, in this article, Ill discuss hypertension, the potential benefits and risks of taking aspirin for heart health, proven ways to lower hypertension, and when its best to talk to a healthcare provider about whether aspirin therapy may be right for you.

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Watch Your Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, its not really effective only check your blood pressure via infrequent trips to the doctor. Instead, purchase a blood pressure monitor for use at home. Many options are available, and some insurance and flexible spending plans cover them beforehand, just to be sure. In addition, you may be able to enter your numbers on your smartphone for easy tracking and reporting back to the doctor.

Is Aspirin Safe For Children

Doctors do not usually recommend aspirin for people under 18. This is because it can increase the risk of a serious condition called Reyeâs syndrome, which can appear after a viral infection such as a cold, the flu, or chickenpox. Reyeâs syndrome can lead to permanent brain injury or death.

However, a clinician may prescribe aspirin to a child under supervision if they have Kawasaki disease or to prevent blood clots from forming after heart surgery.

For children, doctors usually recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen , in appropriate doses, instead of aspirin.

People with the following conditions should be cautious about taking aspirin, and should only do so if a doctor recommends it:

• bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia
• uncontrolled high blood pressure
• peptic or stomach ulcers
• liver or kidney disease

Under a doctorâs supervision, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding may take low-dose aspirin. Doctors usually do not recommend high-dose aspirin during pregnancy.

Anyone with a known allergy to aspirin or any other NSAID, such as ibuprofen, should avoid these drugs.

Doctors do not administer aspirin during a stroke because not all strokes are caused by blood clots. In some cases, aspirin could make a stroke worse.

Also, anyone who drinks alcohol regularly or is undergoing dental or surgical treatment, however small, should ask a doctor before taking aspirin.

An interaction may involve one medication making another less effective or the combination being dangerous.

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How Does Aspirin Help Prevent Heart Attack And Stroke

Most heart attacks and strokes occur when the blood supply to a part of your heart muscle or brain is blocked. This usually starts with atherosclerosis, a process in which deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. This buildup is called plaque.

Plaque usually affects large and medium-sized arteries. Plaques can grow large enough to significantly reduce the blood’s flow through an artery. But most of the damage occurs when a plaque becomes fragile and ruptures. Plaques that rupture cause blood clots to form that can block blood flow or break off and travel to another part of the body. This is called an embolism.

• If a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds the heart, it causes a heart attack.
• If a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds the brain, it causes a stroke.

Aspirin thins the blood, which helps prevent blood clots from forming.

Certain patients will be prescribed aspirin combined with another antiplatelet drug also known as dual antiplatelet therapy . Learn more about DAPT.

Is Daily Aspirin Right For You

Doctors typically prescribe daily aspirin therapy for people who have certain cardiovascular risk factors.

You might benefit from taking aspirin every day if you answer yes to one or more of the following questions:

• Have you previously had a heart attack?
• Have you previously had a clot-related stroke?
• Have you had a stent inserted in a coronary artery?
• Do you have chest pain caused by angina?
• Have you had coronary bypass surgery?
• Are you a man over 50 or a woman over 60 with diabetes and at least one other heart disease risk factor?
• Do you have a family history of heart attacks?

If you think youre at risk, make an appointment to discuss daily aspirin with a doctor.

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Age Family History And Other Risk Factors Determine If Daily Aspirin Can Help Prevent A Heart Attack Or Stroke

For many of us, aspirin was the go-to medicine of our youth. Everything from headaches, colds, and general aches and pains were treated with two aspirin and a glass of water.

For decades, aspirin was widely believed to be a safe way to protect healthy adults from heart attacks and strokes. But over the past couple years, new research has questioned this premise and many doctors have already stopped prescribing aspirin for adults at low risk of cardiovascular disease.

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What Is The Purpose Of Taking A Baby Aspirin Every Day

Daily low-dose aspirin can be of help to older people with an elevated risk for a heart attack. But for healthy older people, the risk outweighs the benefit. Many healthy Americans take a baby aspirin every day to reduce their risk of having a heart attack, getting cancer and even possibly dementia.

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Is Taking Aspirin Good For Your Heart

If youve had a heart attack or stroke, theres no doubt that taking low-dose aspirin is beneficial, says Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S., associate director of preventive cardiology for the Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease. But if you dont have heart disease, should you take it just in case? The answer for most individuals is probably not.

How Should I Take Voltaren

Take Voltaren exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.

Different brands of diclofenac contain different amounts of diclofenac, and may have different uses. If you switch brands, your dose needs may change. Follow your doctors instructions about how much medicine to take. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the brand of diclofenac you receive at the pharmacy.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

If you use Voltaren long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

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Is There More Harm Than Benefit

Previous guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force warned against taking aspirin for the primary prevention of heart disease unless youre at an elevated risk typically if youre 50 to 69 years old with a 10 percent or greater chance of having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years.

There is good reason to be wary of aspirin, warns Michos, particularly for women. The Womens Health Study was a large trial that looked at whether women with no history of heart disease would benefit from taking a low dose of aspirin. Researchers found that in the overall group of women, aspirin didnt reduce the risk of heart attacks, but it did increase the risk of bleeding. Some benefit was seen for women over the age of 65.

So not only was there lack of benefit for the younger women taking aspirin, but there was also a question of harm, says Michos. Its important for people to realize that just because aspirin is over-the-counter does not mean it is necessarily safe. Many patients take aspirin because they think its good for their hearts, but it carries some serious risks.

The best way to assess your risk level is to talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits to determine if low dose aspirin therapy is right for you.

Fact: Daily Use Of Aspirin Is Not Right For Everyone

Aspirin has been shown to be helpful when used daily to lower the risk of heart attack, clot-related strokes and other blood flow problems in patients who have cardiovascular disease or who have already had a heart attack or stroke. Many medical professionals prescribe aspirin for these uses. There may be a benefit to daily aspirin use for you if you have some kind of heart or blood vessel disease, or if you have evidence of poor blood flow to the brain. However, the risks of long-term aspirin use may be greater than the benefits if there are no signs of, or risk factors for heart or blood vessel disease.

Every prescription and over-the-counter medicine has benefits and risks even such a common and familiar medicine as aspirin. Aspirin use can result in serious side effects, such as stomach bleeding, bleeding in the brain, and kidney failure. No medicine is completely safe. By carefully reviewing many different factors, your health professional can help you make the best choice for you.

When you dont have the labeling directions to guide you, you need the medical knowledge of your doctor, nurse practitioner, or other health professional.

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Why Doctors Recommend Low

Aspirin works like other NSAIDs, and it has the added benefit of reducing the clotting action of blood platelets.

This effect can decrease the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

For that reason, doctors sometimes prescribe a low dose of daily aspirin to people whove had a heart attack or who have a history of heart disease.

For these individuals, aspirin may improve blood flow and prevent future major cardiovascular events.

Before a doctor prescribes aspirin, they consider someones:

• Medical history
• Use of prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements
• Allergies and sensitivities

If someone is a good candidate for daily aspirin therapy, the doctor will recommend a specific dosage strength and time of day to take the aspirin.

What Other Strategies Can I Use To Lower My Blood Pressure

In addition to taking aspirin each evening, there are many simple lifestyle changes you can make to start getting your blood pressure under control. Because blood pressure is impacted so much by lifestyle, your numbers are largely in your hands. Patients who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or who believe they are experiencing symptoms of high blood pressure should consider incorporating some of these simple changes into your daily routine to lower risk factors and side effects:

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Options For People With High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure or heart conditions and would like to take pain control medications, discuss your options with your doctor beforehand. Most experts agree that acetaminophen and aspirin are the safest pain relief choices for people with high blood pressure. However, not everyone should use aspirin. Ask your doctor if aspirin is safe for you if you take medications for high blood pressure. Aspirin may also cause ulcers, heartburn, and upset stomach, and it can be dangerous to take if you have gout, liver disease, rheumatic fever, or if used in children. Pregnant women also should not take aspirin as it can be unsafe for both mother and baby.

An Aspirin A Day Not Necessary Or Safe For Everyone

Dear Mayo Clinic:

I have heard that taking one baby aspirin every day can lower your risk of having a heart attack. Is that true?

Answer:

Taking an aspirin every day may be appropriate in some cases, but not all. For some people who have a history of certain heart problems, stroke or diabetes, a daily aspirin may be useful. For others, though, taking an aspirin every day does not necessarily lower the risk of a heart attack and, in some cases, may be unsafe. Any decision to take a daily aspirin should be based on a doctors recommendation.

Aspirin, which acts as a blood thinner, can lower the bloods ability to clot. When you bleed, the bloods clotting cascade is initiated such that platelets build up at the wound to help seal the opening in the blood vessel and stop the bleeding. Arteries that supply blood to the heart can become narrowed due to a build-up of fatty deposits a condition known as atherosclerosis. If one of those deposits breaks down or ruptures, a blood clot can quickly form on the exposed irregular surface, block the artery and reduce blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack. Taking a daily aspirin decreases the clumping action of platelets, making a clot less likely to form and block the blood vessel and possibly preventing a heart attack.

You should not start taking an aspirin daily before you talk to your doctor. If your doctor advises you to take a daily aspirin, it should be taken exactly as recommended.

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What Can I Do The Day Of The Exam To Ensure That My Blood Pressure Is At Its Lowest Point

If you suffer from high blood pressure the first thing you should always do is have it medically managed. See your doctor and follow their advice. Also, dont forget to take your medications if you are medically managed. Taking your meds is important to having a good blood pressure during your DOT physical. So, dont forget to take your meds as directed by your treating provider.

The day of the exam, and maybe a few days before there are some other things that you may do to help ensure that your BP will be as low as is possible.

Get a good nights sleep. If you are tired, you are more likely to have higher blood pressure when examined.

Let the examiner know you suffer white coat syndrome if this is true.

Avoid foods that will elevate blood pressure the day of and day before is possible. These include of course foods that contain salt as well as other things that can elevate your BP. And of course, do not add additional salt to your foods. Foods to avoid include, spicy foods , deli meats, pickles, canned soups, and alcohol all of which can cause a quick spike in your BP. Having a big meal right before being tested is also not a good idea. Caffeinated products are discussed later, but should also be avoided.

Have a banana an hour or two before being tested. Bananas contain potassium, an electrolyte that plays an important role in some of the mechanisms that control blood flow and heartbeat.

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