• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.198-208
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• 2006

Background : Ginseng has traditionally been used in oriental countries to recover vital energy from Qi deficiency, and has shown various biomedical effects in the scientific literature. Recent reports suggest that ginseng could regulate blood pressure (BP), but much controversy still remains. Therefore, we intended to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of several ginseng types frequently used in clinics. We also investigated the anti-hypertensive effect on Koreans and Chinese, and by the body type according to Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). Methods : The study subjects were recruited from mildly hypertensive patients who exhibited pre-hypertension(120/80 to 139/89 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (140/90 to 159/99 mmHg) in Korea and China. After assigning the subjects into a Korean, a Chinese, a red, and an American ginseng group by randomization, we prescribed ginseng at a dose of 4.5 g per day for 4 weeks. To assess the anti-hypertensive effect, we compared the mean of systolic and diastolic BP between before and after ginseng medication using a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (24 hr ABPM. We also monitored adverse effect and laboratory findings to secure the subjects' safety. In addition, all of the subjects in Korea consulted a specialist of Sasang Constitution Medicine to identify their constitutional type. Results : There were 64 subjects treated with Korean ginseng, 58 treated with Chinese ginseng, 33 treated with red ginseng, and 64 treated with American ginseng. Korean, Chinese, and American ginseng all reduced subjects' BP; Korean and Chinese ginseng showed more effect. The secondary analysis on the subjects' nationality revealed that all of the ginseng types showed more significant anti-hypertensive effect in Chinese patients than in Koreans. The third analysis on the constitutional type of SCM showed there was no significant difference in the effectiveness and the safety of ginseng among the constitutional types. Conclusions : We suggest ginseng, especially Panax ginseng without any steaming-drying process, could be useful for mild hypertension. Further, ginseng is safe regardless of subjects' constitutional type or type of ginseng within a dosage of 4.5g per day.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2004

Background and Purpose : Hypertension is one of the modifiable risk factors for stroke. Lowering blood pressure is a primary or secondary preventative measure for stroke. This study aims to assess the efficacy of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxue-dan) in stage 1 hypertensive patients who have suffered a stroke by 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(24ABPM). Subjects& Methods : We enrolled 40 hospitalized stroke patients with stage 1 hypertension and divided them into 2 groups by stratified randomization; group A took 1200mg of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxue-dan) at 8:00 a.m. for two weeks without changing herbal medicine, and group B was the control group. 28 patients were included in the final analysis(15 in group A. 13 in group B). Blood pressure is monitored from 8:00 am to 7:30 am every 30 minutes for 24 hours. Blood pressure was monitored two times at baseline and again two weeks later. We used 3 parameters for evaluating the efficacy of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxue-dan); The first parameter is change from baseline to two weeks later in blood pressure and pulse rate. The second parameter is the trough/peak ratio(TPR) and smoothness index(SI). The third parameter is antihypertensive rate by antihypertensive efficacy guideline. Results : There is no significant difference in the baseline assessment hetween the two groups. Systolic blood pressure $(141.37{\pm}8.96\;mmHg\;vs\;132.28{\pm}9.46\;mmHg)$ decreased after two weeks of 1200mg(P=0.03) intake of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxue-dan). Systolic TPR and SI was 0.87 and 1.04 in group A. Antihypertensive rate was higher in group A. Conclusion: These results suggest that 1200mg doses of Clunghyul-dan(Qingxue-dan) is an effective antihypertensive agent on stage 1 hypertension patients who have suffered a stroke.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5849-5859
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to find out the impact of age and hypertensive status on postprandial hypotension(PPH). Twenty-six hypertensive elderly ($77.7{\pm}7.2$ years old), twenty-five normotensive elderly ($80.2{\pm}6.8$ years old) and twenty-six young adults ($20.0{\pm}1.5$ years old) took part in the study. The blood pressure (BP) and heart rates (HR) were measured every 15 minutes, from 30 minutes before a meal to 90 minute after a meal in sitting position, using an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. In the hypertensive group, postprandial reduction in systolic BP continued from 30minutes to 90minutes. The reductuion rate of systolic BP of hypertensive elderly group was significantly greater than other groups (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences in trend of HR change between the groups (p=.082). The incidence of PPH was significantly higher in the hypertensives than other groups (73.1% vs 24% vs 0%, respectively, p=.001). In conclusion, age and hypertensive status had a significant impact on PPH. Elderly persons require more intensive BP monitoring and nursing intervention.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.494-500
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• 2008

Ginseng has been traditionally used to recover vital energy from Qi deficiency in oriental countries. Recent reports suggested that ginseng could regulate blood pressure (BP), but much controversy still remain. Therefore, we intended to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of some ginseng species on Koreans and Chinese. This is a randomized, double blinded controlled clinical trial. The study subjects were recruited from the mild hypertensive patients who belonged prehypertension(120/80 to 139/89 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (140/90 to 159/99 mmHg) in Korea and China. After assigning the subjects into a Korean, a Chinese, and an American ginseng group by randomization, we prescribed ginseng with the dose of 4.5 g per a day for 4 w. To assess the anti-hypertensive effect, we compared the mean of systolic and diastolic BP between before and after ginseng medication by 24 h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (24 h ABPM). We also monitored adverse effect and laboratory findings to secure the subjects' safety. There were 64 subjects treated with Korean ginseng, 58 treated with Chinese ginseng, and 64 treated with American ginseng. All of the ginseng species reduced subjects' BP. Especially, Korean and Chinese ginseng showed more excellent effects. The secondary analysis on the subjects' nationality revealed that all of the ginseng species showed more significant anti-hypertensive effect in Chinese than in Koreans. We suggest ginseng could be useful for mild hypertension regardless of its species. And it would be safe within the dosage of 4.5 g per a day.

• 한국노년학
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1141-1155
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to compare the preventive effects of green tea and coffee drinking on postprandial hypotension in the elderly. A total of 30 women ($81.2{\pm}6.8years$) who had experience of postprandial hypotension participated 3 interventions by random order allocation. During the experimental interventions, each participant had a cup of instant coffee (60mg caffeine), or green tea (15.8mg caffeine) after lunch, and control group had only their lunch. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured with 15 minute interval from 30 minutes before the meal to 120 minutes after the meal. The preprandial SBP and DBP were not significantly different between three groups. Postprandial SBP reduction measured at the 1 hour after meal was significantly smaller in coffee group compared to the control group, whereas green tea group was not ($-15.1{\pm}17.9mmHg$ vs $-13.4{\pm}22.4mmHg$ vs. $-4.1{\pm}18.6mmHg$ for control, green tea, and coffee group, respectively, p=.032). Likewise, DBP decrement at the 1 hour after meal was significantly smaller in coffee than control group ($-12.8{\pm}13.0mmHg$ vs $-6.9{\pm}16.6mmHg$ vs $-0.8{\pm}13.4mmHg$ respectively, p=.033). The HR response of the three groups were not significantly different throughout the intervention. Coffee drinking was potentially beneficial for preventing postprandial hypotension and resultant falling event.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.969-983
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• 2011

The purposes of this study were to identify the degree of postprandial blood pressure reduction and the prevalence of postprandial hypotension by 3 different mealtimes of elderly people diagnosed with hypertension in nursing homes. After the informed and written consent, a total of 187 elderly people were recruited in the study. Systolic BP, diastolic BP were measured with ambulatory BP monitor every 15 minutes interval from 30 minutes before a meal until 120 minutes after each meal. The maximum SBP reduction was significantly bigger at breakfast than lunchtime or dinnertime. Among 187 elders, 137(73.4%) showed PPH at breakfast, 103(54.2%) at lunchtime, and 96(50.2%) at dinnertime. The most prevalent time point of PPH was 90 minutes after the initiation of a meal in all of 3 mealtimes. Among 8 measurement times, the prevalence of PPH was significantly higher in breakfast (3.0±2.7 times) than both lunchtime (2.1±2.5 times) and dinnertime (1.9±2.4 times). Although the occurrence of PPH by every mealtime should be taken into account in caring for the elderly, postprandial BP measurements need more attention after breakfast. Nurses should develop appropriate nursing interventions that can prevent postprandial blood pressure reduction in elderly people with hypertension.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.992-997
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• 2008

Purpose : Hypertension (HTN) is no longer an exclusively adult disease; the prevalence of pediatric HTN is increasing. To understand the evaluation and treatment of childhood HTN in Korea, we investigated, via a questionnaire, how hypertensive children are currently assessed and managed by pediatric cardiologists (CA) and nephrologists (NE). Methods : We surveyed 82 pediatric CA and 77 NE, regarding how they manage hypertensive children in Korea. Results : A total 75 replies were received to our questionnaire request (response rate: 47.15%). Routine blood pressure (BP) checks were more frequently performed by NE (CA: 5.7%, NE: 25%, P=0.03), but most respondents (86%) did not check BP routinely. Mercury sphygmomanometers were the most commonly used devices and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was not frequently used. The goal BP in treated patients was set at the 95th percentile by 61% of respondents. NE used a lower BP goal in hypertensive children with renal disease (CA: 24%, NE: 64%, P=0.004) or DM (CA: 12.5%, NE: 50%, P=0.003). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were the most commonly used agents (mean: 59%); following ACE inhibitors, CA preferred diuretics for hypertensive children with renal disease or cardiovascular disease, and NE preferred calcium channel blockers, regardless of underlying disease. Self-monitoring was the most frequent method for BP monitoring at home. Conclusion : In Korea, BP measurement is not yet a routine examination in treating hypertension. There are some differences in management strategies vis-$\grave{a}$-vis hypertension, between pediatric cardiologists and nephrologists. For the appropriate management and prevention of secondary disease in long-term studies, standard guidelines and education are needed for pediatricians.