A new study suggests that aspirin does not interact with ACE inhibitors in patients at risk of heart complications.

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have proven benefit in the treatment of heart disease and high blood pressure. What's not been clear, however, is whether aspirin - often also prescribed for heart patients - reduces the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors.

Researchers at McMaster University in Canada have looked at the evidence and found that aspirin had no effect on ACE inhibitors in most of the clinical trials that have been done. Overall, ACE inhibitor therapy reduces the incidence of death, heart attack, stroke or hospital admission by about 22 per cent, whether aspirin is taken or not. The researchers conclude that doctors can confidently prescribe aspirin to those at-risk patients who stand to benefit - even if they are also on ACE inhibitors.

Source

Lancet 5th October 2002