Re: Low dose aspirin (81 mg.)

If you are taking niacin, taking an aspirin with or 1/2 hour before you take the niacin may help reduce flushing. Otherwise, I don't think it matters when you take the aspirin.

The purpose of taking an aspirin is that it reduces the "stickiness" of platelets, thereby reducing the likelihood of a blood clot that would cause a heart attack. I have not seen anything that suggests a relationship between aspirin use and cholesterol level (but I suppose it is possible, and I certainly haven't read every study).

There are bleeding and gastric risks of taking aspirin everyday, so you really should discuss it with your doctor before self-medicating in this way.