Does Aspirin Lower Heart Rate?
Yes, aspirin can lower your heart rate. However, aspirin impacts the heart indirectly.
Aspirin lowers the heart rate by influencing the heart's autonomic activity. The autonomic system is responsible for heart rate regulation and is normally controlled by the nerves.
The autonomic system is divided into two parts. One part, the sympathetic nervous system, is responsible for stimulating the heart. The second part, the parasympathetic nervous system, is responsible for slowing the heart down.
After taking aspirin, the autonomic system changes. The parasympathetic system's function increases, and the heart slows down. Additionally, sympathetic system activity is reduced [1, 2].
Furthermore, aspirin also increases the sensitivity of the blood pressure sensors. The higher sensitivity of this regulatory loop allows for a more precise heart rate adjustment. The heart slows down even after a relatively small blood pressure increase [3].
However, it is essential to remember that the lower heart rate after aspirin is not significant. Its effect on the heart rate is not comparable to the effect medications like beta blockers have.
What is Aspirin?
Aspirin is also known as acetylsalicylic acid and belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is a widely used medication with a range of therapeutic applications.
Aspirin is a very old medication. Acetylsalicylic acid was first sold in 1899. From the first day, it became a common medication for fever and pain [4].
Additionally, aspirin is a potent antiplatelet drug [5].
Mechanism Of Action
The primary mechanism of aspirin is the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. It inhibits prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PGHS) or cyclooxygenase (COX) synthesis [6].
Also, aspirin inhibits the formation of thromboxane A2, which is normally a strong activator of coagulation [7, 8].
Aspirin also has other pharmacological activities. The most important is the reduction of ATP storage, increased extracellular adenosine, and lowered NO synthesis [9].
Effect of Aspirin
Aspirin has four primary effects. All of them are currently used in the therapy of many diseases.
Aspirin works against:
- Fever
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Coagulation
What Are The Indications For Aspirin?
Indications for aspirin include:
- Treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease. Aspirin prevents thrombotic events in atherosclerosis [10, 11, 12].
- Acute phase of myocardial infarction. Aspirin can reduce mortality by 20% and decrease the probability of reocclusions [13].
- Prevention of preeclampsia and small-for-gestational-age births in high-risk women. They include women with a history of preeclampsia responsible for premature birth [14].
Evidence shows that aspirin can also reduce the risk of certain cancers, like colorectal cancer [11, 15]. However, the prevention of some cancers with aspirin has not been approved and is currently under research.
What Are The Risks of Taking Aspirin?
Aspirin, like all medications, has risks and side effects.
Here are some of the most prevalent risks of Aspirin:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, for example, due to gastric ulcers [16]
- Bleeding [16]
- Upper gastrointestinal complications in over 60-year-olds [17]
- Increased risk of kidney cancer and ischemic heart disease [18]
When Should Aspirin Not Be Taken?
Aspirin is a common medication used for a variety of health conditions. However, it is not recommended to take aspirin in certain situations.
You should never take aspirin before surgery. It will make it very difficult to control any bleeding. Taking aspirin before surgery will increase the chances of heavy and dangerous bleeding [19].
If you take aspirin before surgery, consistently report it to the surgeon or any medical personnel available.
You should also avoid aspirin when you have a condition with an increased risk for internal bleeding, like coagulation disorders or varices [19].
Another reason to avoid aspirin is if you have an intolerance to it. If you have noticed any side effects in the past after taking aspirin, you should consult a doctor before taking the drug again [20].
Also, when you have asthma and nasal polyps, you should try to avoid aspirin. Patients with this disorder have a tendency for hypersensitivity reactions [21].
Always remember to see a doctor when stopping aspirin if you take it for coronary artery disease. An abrupt stop of aspirin in patients who suffer from coronary artery disease can increase the risk of cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction [22, 23].