Aspirin is not a recommended medication for lowering blood pressure. There is no credible evidence that aspirin lowers your blood pressure. Aspirin carries side effects and risks of bleeding, so it is no longer generally recommended for preventing heart disease.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease. For years, a low dose of daily aspirin was considered a way to prevent atherosclerotic heart disease, in which plaque builds up in the arteries. This can lead to blood clots and blockages, which can produce a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin reduces the blood's clotting ability.
However, the 2019 American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for preventing heart disease say aspirin has shown a lack of benefit compared to risk, and its use in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease should be infrequent.
This article discusses what you should know about taking aspirin to lower blood pressure, including the risks and alternatives.
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Is There Evidence to Support Taking Aspirin to Lower Blood Pressure?
Research looking at the link between aspirin and high blood pressure is limited and controversial. For example, one small study suggested that aspirin may affect blood pressure in some cases and when it’s taken at certain times of the day. This study has not been reproduced.
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Reasons for Taking a Daily Aspirin
Daily low-dose aspirin is not a recommended blood pressure control medication for anyone to use. Organizations, including the AHA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), advise that people do not start taking aspirin without talking to their healthcare provider first.
However, there are cases in which a healthcare provider might recommend a daily low dose of aspirin. One case is in pregnancy for people at high risk for preeclampsia. This is a condition of high blood pressure in pregnancy. Consult a healthcare provider for the appropriate timing and dosage.
The 2019 AHA/ACC heart disease prevention guidelines say daily low-dose aspirin may be considered in selected people aged 40 to 70 who have a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but do not have an increased risk of bleeding. It should not be given to people over age 70 or anyone at increased risk of bleeding.
The AHA/ACC guidelines state that daily aspirin use can actually be dangerous. Because aspirin thins your blood, taking it makes you more likely to experience internal bleeding.
Aspirin Side Effects and Risks
Aspirin can have some side effects, such as:
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
For most people, these effects are mild. However, aspirin also poses a serious risk of bleeding in the stomach, small intestines, and the brain. Other potential risks of taking aspirin include:
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss (often when taking large daily doses of aspirin)
- Allergy or intolerance to aspirin
If you have severe side effects while taking aspirin (e.g., wheezing, rash, vomiting blood, black stools) or any symptoms are not getting better, tell your provider right away.
If Your Healthcare Provider Recommends Aspirin
If your provider tells you to start taking daily low-dose aspirin, you must take it exactly how they tell you to. Taking the wrong dose or using aspirin the wrong way can increase your risk for side effects or complications.
Before you start taking aspirin, talk to your provider about:
- If and how much alcohol you can drink
- What medications or supplements you should avoid: For example, taking another NSAID like Advil (ibuprofen) along with aspirin increases your risk for bleeding.
- If you are undergoing a surgical procedure, whether (and when) you should stop your aspirin
- Symptoms to watch out for and what to do if they occur (e.g., black or bloody stools)
Lowering Your Blood Pressure Without Aspirin
There are other ways that you can lower your blood pressure without taking aspirin. Your provider will focus your care on lifestyle modifications and/or choosing one or more medications that have been proven effective and safe for treating hypertension.
Lifestyle changes that can help lower blood pressure include:
- Restricting salt in your diet
- Losing weight, if you have overweight or obesity
- Exercising at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week
- Finding ways to relax and relieve stress, like meditation or deep breathing
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
Medications that your healthcare provider may recommend include:
- Thiazide diuretics
- Calcium channel blockers
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Beta-blockers
Summary
Aspirin on its own does not lower blood pressure. Aspirin is not recommended to treat high blood pressure. Taking aspirin carries risks, especially for bleeding. You should only take aspirin after talking to a healthcare provider.
There are many other ways to lower your blood pressure without aspirin, such as making lifestyle changes and taking medications that are meant to treat high blood pressure.