• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.255-264
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• 2008

Objectives: This study adopted a qualitative method to explore the layman's beliefs and experience concerning high blood pressure and its management in order to develop a strategy to increase adherence to proper medical treatment. Methods: Semi-structured interviews that focused on personal experiences with hypertension and its management were conducted with 26 hypertensive patients. The participants were selected according to a BP above 140/90 mmHg (hypertension stage 1), based on the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure (JNC-VII). The interviews lasted for approximately 30 minutes (range: 20-60 minutes). The resulting questions were formulated into open-ended questions. The interview questionnaire was composed 17 items to examine non-adherence to treatment and 19 items to examine adherence to treatment. Results: Most participants recognized that the direct cause of high blood pressure was unhealthy behavior rather than inheritance. Thus, the hypertensive patient believed they could recover their blood pressure to a normal level through removing the direct cause of hypertension (weight reduction, diet, exercise) instead of taking drugs. The reasons for these statements were that the drugs for controlling hypertension are not natural or they are artificial, and they may have side effects, and drugs are not treatment for the root cause of hypertension. Most of the hypertensive patients chose to manage their behaviors as soon as they knew their blood pressure was high. Therefore, we should not divide the subjects into two groups according to their taking drugs or not, but they should be divided into two groups according to their willingness or not to manage their condition. Conclusions: For developing a strategy for an individual approach to hypertension management, we need to develop a client-centered attitude and strategy. That is, we need to tailor our approach to individual cases to avoid generalizations and stereotyping when developing an adherence increasing strategy.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.193-199
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• 2006

There have been many studies indicating increased salt intake is related to elevated blood pressure (BP). Hypertension and pre-hypertension are prevalent in Korea. A national survey showed that the Korean average daily salt consumption was 12.5g, which is more than twice the current recommendation in the UK or USA. This study was performed to understand which aspects of the Korean diet contributed to high salt intake and elevated BP in Korea. The subjects consisted of 1,110 Korean adult men aged 30 to 49 years who were selected from the data of 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey, a nationwide cross sectional survey. The relationship of BP with sodium and high sodium food intakes were analyzed. After categorizing subjects according to their BP, the socio-demographic information and food and nutrients intakes were analyzed. BP increased with a larger amounts of sodium intake and the trend was significant with diastolic BP. However, the trends of BP for sodium densities of the diet were not. People with hypertension significantly tended to be older, larger, and less educated than people with normal BP. And they consumed more foods from the fats, oils & sweets group and larger amounts of discretionary sodium than normal people. The current report advocates that public health intervention, which improves the awareness of the role of salt on elevated blood pressure for the public, should be implemented in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.85-95
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• 2002

Objectives : Daechu (Dazhui:GV14 (Governor Vessel 14))-point is located between the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra and that of the 1st thoracic vertebra. GV14 has been used to treat hypertension, high fever, neck pain, common cold, headache and so on. Hypertension often negatively affects the improvement of stroke patients. We investigated whether wet-cupping at GV14 had any effect of decreasing blood pressure (BP). Methods : In this study, 81 stroke patients were studied, from Oct. 2000 to Sept. 2001. They were composed of a Sample group (n=36) and Control group (n=45). The Sample group (n=36) was divided into Sample-Normal (n=9), Sample-Mild (n=7), Sample-Moderate (n=l1), and Sample-Severe group (n=9). The Control group (n=45) was divided into Control-Moderate (n=34) and Control-Severe group (n=ll). We checked blood pressure 5 times (just before treatment, then after 30,60, 90, and 120min. (2hrs.)) in each sample group and 3 times (baseline, after 30, and after 120min. (2hrs)) in the control group. Results : In a comparison of before-treatment BP and after-treatment BP in the sample group, SBP significantly decreased as time passed, while DBP slightly decreased but not significantly. In comparison of BP differences in each sample subgroup, BP slightly increased in the Sample-Normal group, but significantly decreased in the Sample-Mild, Sample-Moderate, and Sample-Severe groups. In comparison of BP differences between the sample and control groups, SBP and DBP of the sample group definitely decreased more than those of the control group, but not significantly. Conclusions : This study suggests that wet-cupping at GV14 has significant decreasing effectson blood pressure in stroke patients. Accordingly, we hope that this measure will be used more widely as an emergent treatment for increased blood pressure.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1477-1484
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• 2006

This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus $S_{EEM}$ extracts following gamma-ray irradiation on the change of weight, the serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, total lipid, phospholipid level in obese mice induced by high fat diet, and the change of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and blood pressure (BP) in normal rats. Experimental materials were as follows ; 10AS was the bark powder of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus $S_{EEM}$ stems which was exposed in 10 kGy electron beam, 10AS was the bark powder of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus $S_{EEM}$ roots which was exposed in 10 kGy electron beam, 100S was the bark powder of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus $S_{EEM}$ stems which was exposed in 100 kGy electron beam, Experimental groups were as follows ; Normal group was fed with normal diet and administered with distilled water during 5 weeks, Control group was fed with high fat diet and administered with distilled water during 5 weeks, Sample A group was fed with high fat diet and administered with 10AS of 300 mg/kg/mouse/day during 5 weeks, Sample B group was fed with high fat diet and administered with 10AR of 300 mg/kg/mouse/day during 5 weeks, Sample C group was fed with high fat diet and administered with 100AS of 300 mg/kg/mouse/day during 5 weeks. The results were as follows ; Sample A group, Sample B group and Sample C group were significantly decreased body weight and the serum LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid level in comparison with Control group. Sample A group, Sample B group and Sample C group were significantly increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level in comparison with Control group. Sample B group and Sample C group were significantly decreased the serum total cholesterol, free fatty acid and phospholipid level in comparison with Control group. This results were suggested that all experimental materials were able to be used for the obesity. 10AS did not changed rCBF and MABP in a dose-dependent manner. 10AR significantly increased rCBR in a dose-dependent manner, and BP did not change in a dose-dependent manner. 100AS decreased rCBF and BP in a dose-dependent manner. This results were suggested that 10 AR significantly increased rCBF by dilating pial arterial diameter. According to above results, the authors suggested that 10AR was able to be used for the obesity and ischemic disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.324-331
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• 2013

We investigated dietary effects of green tea powder (GTP) on plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, hemolysis, plasma TBARS, and liver enzymes. Thirty one volunteer diving women living on Jeju island consumed 4 g green tea powder daily for a period of four weeks and data for the study subjects were analyzed on the basis of diagnostic criteria for blood pressure (BP)(${\geq}$ 140/90 mmHg), plasma total cholesterol (TC)(${\geq}$ 200 mg/dL), and triglyceride (TG)(${\geq}$ 150mg/dL). Subjects with high BP had significantly higher TC and TG than those with normal BP. Subjects with higher TC had higher TG, and those with higher TG had lower HDL cholesterol. Platelet aggregation in the initial slope was significantly higher in subjects with normal BP, normal TC, or normal TG than their counterparts in high BP, TC, and TG. HDL cholesterol after GTP intake increased only in subject groups with normal BP, normal TC, or normal TG, and plasma TG after GTP intake decreased only in groups with higher BP, higher TG, or higher TC. Plasma TC and TG in subjects with normal BP increased after GTP intake. GTP intake caused a decrease in the initial slope of platelet aggregation in all subject groups with little effect on maximum aggregation. Total bilirubin showed a significant increase and GOT increased in all subject groups after GTP intake. Beneficial effects of short term intake of green tea powder might differ depending on the subject conditions in terms of blood pressure, plasma lipids, and other cardiovascular conditions. However, with the hypolipidemic, antithrombotic, and antioxidant actions of its bioactive flavonoids, long term usage of GTP or brewed green tea may provide preventive effects against cardiovascular disease.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.234-244
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• 2002

This study was conducted to compare the rates of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, high blood glucose, and liver dysfunction, between 64 obese children (24 boys and 11 girls who were moderately obese, and 21 boys and 8 girls who were severely obese) and 45 normal weight children (31 boys and 14 girls) from 13 elementary schools in Kangnung city. Among the boys with severe obesity, the levels of serum triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol (133.60 $\pm$ 49.99 mg/dl and 105.00 $\pm$ 41.12 mg/dl( respectively) were significantly higher compared to the normal Weight group (81.16 $\pm$ 23.59 mg/dl and 87.74 $\pm$ 32.095 mg/dl, respectively) of moderately obese group (102.30 $\pm$ 36.03 mg/dl, 89.99 $\pm$ 32.10 mg/이, respectively). In girls, only serum triglycerides were significantly higher in the severely obese group (154.30 $\pm$ 46.84 mg/dl), compared with the normal weight group (80.00 $\pm$ 25.31 mg/dl) or moderately obese group (106.40 $\pm$ 41.73 mg/dl). In boys, blood pressure in the severely obese group (systolic: 120.5 $\pm$ 9.74 mmHg; diastolic: 80.95 $\pm$ 10.44 mmHg) was significantly higher compared with the groups of normal weight or moderately obese children. The rate of hypertriglyceridemia was significantly different among normal weight, moderately obese, and severely obese boys (9.7%, 41.7%, and 76.2%, respectively). The proportion of boys who had an Atherogenic Index(AI) higher than 3 was found to be significantly higher in the severely obese group (28.6%), compared to 6.5% in the normal weight group and 4.1% in the moderately obese group. Among boys, a significantly higher rate of hypertension was found in the severely obese group, which showed high systolic blood pressure and high diastolic pressure (81.0% and 81.0%), compared with the normal weight group (16.1% and 22.6%) and moderately obese group (33.3% and 33.3%). In conclusion, the diagnosis and management of obese children needs to be tailored to gender and the degree of obesity. Furthermore, a systematic management program needs to be developed for early screening and detection of obesity in order to minimize the risk of hyperlipidemia and hypertension, especially in severely obese children.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2012

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of acute exercise on blood vaspin, glucose level, and inflammatory cytokines in middle-aged women with pre-diabetes. Nineteen middle-aged women (normal women, n = 11) and women with pre-diabetes(n = 8), who were apparently healthy and not taking any medications affecting their blood pressure or blood glucose, participated. Body fatness parameters including body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference were measured using a bio-impedance analyzer. Resting blood pressure was measured in duplicate, and mean values were used for the data analysis. Regardless of group assignments, all subjects participated in a 3-day consecutive walking exercise at an intensity of 65% VO_2max targeting an energy expenditure of 1200 kcal (400 kcal per day). The major outcome variables included total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, vaspin, interleukin-6, and adiponectin levels. Unlike normal women, women with pre-diabetes had a significant improvement in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (p < 0.025) with no significant group difference in response to acute exercise. The findings suggest that acute exercise results in a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity without any change in serum vaspin levels in women with pre-diabetes.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.117-129
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• 2001

Objective : Hyperlipidemia and hypertension are well recognized risk factors of cerebrovascular disease. So it's very important to evaluate blood pressure and s-cholesterol in adolescence. Material and Methods : April 1999, we were requested health examinaion for high school students of a boys high school and a girls high school in Jeonbuk, Korea. The subjects were 360 students, boys were 317 and girls were 343. They were checked their height, body weight, blood pressure, and s-cholesterol. Results and Conclusion : The mean of systolic blood pressure of study subjects was $111.89{\pm}12.43mmHg$. In boys, it was $116.25{\pm}11.78mmHg$, and in girls, it was $107.87{\pm}11.64mmHg$. The mean of diastolic blood pressure of study subjects was $68.45{\pm}9.40mmHg$. In boys, it was $66.92{\pm}10.00mmHg$, and in girls it was $69.85{\pm}9.40mmHg$. Hypertensives were 18(5.68%) in boys, 10(2.92%) in girls. The mean of s-cholesterol of study subjects was $174.95{\pm}32.28mg/dL$. In boys, it was $178.91{\pm}34.51mg/dL$, and in girls, it was $171.29{\pm}29.66mg/dL$. Hypercholesterolemias were 91(28.71%) in boys, 39(11.37%) in girls. The mean of BMI of study subjects was $21.12{\pm}3.27kg/m2$. In boys, it was $21.05{\pm}3.26kg/m2$, and in girls, it was $21.18{\pm}3.29kg/m2$. Obese boys were 18(5.68%), obese girls were 13(3.79%). The mean of diastolic blood pressure in obese boys was significantly higher than that of normal boys(p=0.001, Mann-Whitney test). The mean of s-cholesterol in obese boys($BMI{\ge}274$) was significantly higher than that of normal boys.(P=0.26, Mann-Whitney test).

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.113-120
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• 2016

The present study was conducted to assess gender differences in the relationship between adiposity and systolic inter-arm blood pressure difference (sIAD) in Korean adults. In this paper, we propose a 410 adults (235 men and 175 women) who were over 30 years old and had undergone a health check participated from June to November 2013. The incidences of high sIAD (sIAD ${\geq}10mmHg$) in males and females were 24.6% and 15.3%, respectively. We conducted a logistic regression analysis after adjusting for variables such as age, smoking, drinking, exercising, TC, TG, HDL-C, and FPG. Key study results were as follows: First, in men, the odds ratio (OR) of high sIAD of the obesity group was significantly higher than that of the normal weight group [2.25 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-4.25)], but abdominal obesity was not associated with high sIAD. Second, in women, the OR of high sIAD of the abdominal obesity group was significantly higher than that of the non-abdominal obesity group [2.52 (95% CI, 1.03-6.13)], but obesity status was not associated with high sIAD. In conclusion, Obesity is associated with the incidence of high sIAD in Korean men, and abdominal obesity is associated with the incidence of high sIAD in Korean women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.671-680
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• 1999

In order to investigate the relationship between plasma renin activity and metabolism of Ca and Na in blood pressure, the habitual dietary intakes of Na and Ca urinary excretion of Ca, Na and K, and plasma level of renin activity, aldosterone, and indices of Ca metabolism were measured in 27 untreated hypertensive women and 30 age-matched normal women on a free diet. Hypertensive subjects were classified into high renin hypertensive (HH), medium renin hypertensive(HM) and low renin showed no significant difference among normotensive, LH, MH and HM groups. It appeared that 25-(OH) Vit D3 level of HH group was significantly higher than LH group(p<0.05). There was significant difference in habitual intake of Ca between normotensive and LH groups. However, habitual intake of Na showed no significant difference among normotensive, LH, MH and HH group. Positive correlation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with PTH(r=0.324, r=0.375) and urinary Ca(r=0.496, r=0.278) and a negative correlation of systolic blood pressure with habitual Ca intake(r=-0.371) existed(p<0.05). A relative magnitude of factors affecting hypertension was analyzed by multiple regression analysis. Overall results about relative influence of independent variables to dependent variable (systolic blood pressure) indicated that urinary Ca was the higher correlation in all subjects(p<0.0001), followed by age and aldosterone. PTH showed a significant correlation for relative influence on diastolic blood pressure in all subjects. The above results indicated that renin-aldosterone system and Ca regulating hormone had a mutual relationship in hypertension.