Doctor, When Should I Take My Aspirin?

This study of mildly hypertensive volunteers provides insight about the best timing of aspirin administration.

A previous large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial documented low-dose aspirin's protective effect against adverse cardiovascular events in hypertensive subjects (Journal Watch Cardiology Jul 24 1998). But are the blood-pressure effects of low-dose aspirin dependent on what time of day patients take it?

In this pilot study from Spain, researchers randomized 100 untreated mildly hypertensive volunteers (mean baseline BP, 144/85 mm Hg) to 1 of 3 interventions: nonpharmacologic hygienic-dietary recommendations (HDRs) about sodium restriction, diet, alcohol intake, and exercise; the same HDRs plus 100 mg per day of aspirin taken upon awakening; or the HDRs plus 100 mg per day of aspirin taken before bedtime. Before intervention and 3 months …

Reviewing Author

Joel M. Gore, MD