Hey Doctors

[juanbenae]

I have an EKG & other blood pressure testing in my future and to hedge my bets I am considering taking a few aspirin a couple hours before the test. As I understand it this will help my blood pressure by thinning blood??? Am I on the right track here? I've generally had decent blood pressure but looking to as I said hedge my bets... Have not had any baseline testing in the last 4 years or so

Thanks in advance,

Toby

[BLEW911]

Why would you want to "trick" the doctor? Doc needs all the proper info he can get to help you.
Blood never gets any 'thinner". Anti coagulants like aspirin extend clotting time.

[Eric Coffey]

*Not sure what your motives are, but why would you want to cheat/obscure the test results? If you have high BP (hypertension) wouldn't you want to be aware of it? Or is it something like an employee requirement that you are trying to make sure you pass? If that's the case, a couple asprin's couldn't hurt. A low-dose beta blocker would probably be better. I'd also skip any caffiene/stimulants that morning. BTW, in my experience/opinion, "snapshot" EKG's are worthless anyway, unless you happen to have symptoms at that exact moment.

* = just my opinion, not a doctor, blah, blah...

[cgarr]

Let me guess, you are trying to get some life insurance?

[Nathans_Dad]

To answer your question without going into your motives:

Aspirin will not do a thing to your blood pressure or your EKG.

[juanbenae]

thanks all.

[HardDrive]

Go for a good bleeding before the test. Leaches work wonders. Also eye of newt.

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Let me guess, you are trying to get some life insurance?

Or a health screening for a job...

[James Brown]

Aspirin prevents platlets from sticking to each other. A old flight physical trick is to drink a beer an hour prior to testing. And relax, not a big deal.

[vash]

why doesnt one go to a riteAIDE and do that DIY blood pressure test? there may not even be a problem.

[juanbenae]

deemed fit! it's offical

[Tobra]

How old are you? Over a certain age you worry about strokes and heart attacks.

I have always thought a baby aspirin, or maybe a whole aspirin once or twice a week would be a good idea. I always tell my patients to take an aspirin if they are going to be taking a long ride in a plane or car.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

overdosing on aspirin may put you on "the list"

[vash]

i have hundreds of baby asprin. costco special. making it a habit to take them is difficult.

good job toby!

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

i have hundreds of baby asprin. costco special. making it a habit to take them is difficult.


I have a hundred aspirin, baby!!!

[nostatic]

Actually recent studies have indicated that the 81mg aspirin a day may have been over-suggested over the past few years, and that docs need to think more about risk/reward.

The Danger of Taking Aspirin Daily - WSJ.com

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

lol, the risk is the patients life, and your license, and the reward is "you might get paid"

[James Brown]

I take one every other day or when I can remember to. Yes long plane/car/train rides= DVT which leads to stroke/TIA, which leads to.....

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

.....which leads to ..... ????I bought another Porsche???????

[Tobra]

The long trip leads to DVT which leads to pulmonary embolism and acute death. They used to say eggs were bad for you too Todd. Moderation in all things, you should know that, as a Moderator.