The researchers called for further studies to see if there are other benefits from taking low-dose aspirin before bed, instead of in the morning.
Joseph V. Messer, M.D., M.A.C.C., from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Ill., who was not connected with this study, said the results again demonstrate the extraordinary value of aspirin, one of the least costly medications.
"Given the widespread use of aspirin, the prevalence of hypertension, and the ease in altering the time of aspirin administration, these results should be widely disseminated," Dr. Messer said.
Franz H. Messerli, M.D., F.A.C.C., from St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, commented on the possible antihypertensive properties of aspirin in an editorial in the journal.
"I am a bit doubtful that this is as simple as the authors describe it; but if indeed aspirin taken at bedtime did lower blood pressure, the implications would be tremendous," Dr. Messerli said. "But clearly it will have to be confirmed and re-confirmed before it has any major clinical significance."
While Dr. Messerli said it is too early to recommend low-dose aspirin as a blood pressure treatment, he doesn't see any harm in people who are already taking aspirin switching from taking it in the morning to taking the pill at night. However, he pointed out that people have a harder time remembering to take medications at night, so they may be more likely to miss doses.
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Contact: Anne Dees
adees@acc.org
301-581-3406
American College of Cardiology
15-Sep-2005