The mechanism of aspirin in lowering blood pressure
Disease description:
I clearly had high blood pressure, but the staff at the pharmacy gave me aspirin. What is the mechanism by which aspirin lowers blood pressure?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Aspirin itself does not directly lower blood pressure; its primary pharmacological effects are anti-platelet aggregation and anti-inflammatory actions. By inhibiting platelet adhesion and aggregation, aspirin effectively reduces the risk of thrombosis, thereby improving blood flow and indirectly benefiting blood pressure regulation.
This effect is achieved through the irreversible inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity by aspirin, which reduces the conversion of arachidonic acid into thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a metabolite that promotes platelet aggregation. At the same time, aspirin also decreases the synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2).
In addition, aspirin may subtly influence physiological mechanisms such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), thereby indirectly participating in blood pressure regulation. However, these effects are relatively weak and generally insufficient to serve as a primary treatment for hypertension.
Aspirin is not a drug without side effects; long-term or inappropriate use may cause adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, aspirin should be used strictly under a physician's guidance, and self-medication should be avoided to ensure its safe and effective therapeutic use.
