Effect of therapeutic life style changes [TLC] in the prevention of essential hypertension

Essential hypertension is one of the commonest causes of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and kidney disease. Essential hypertension leads to increased mortality, morbidity, disability and disease rates in young and middle aged persons. This study was designed to determine the risk factors that are associated with essential hypertension and to evaluate the efficacy of Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes [TLC] in the prevention of essential hypertension. The present study, based on sixty patients, was carried out during Nov. 2004-May 2005 in Majeedia Hospital, New Delhi. Before and after intervention values of BMI, pulse rate and BP were analyzed and subjected to statistical comparison. P value < 0.05 was estimated as significant. In this study it has been shown that Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes were very effective in reducing BMI and BP and plays an important role in prevention of essential hypertension

Dose titration for LVH regression in hypertensive rats: do antihypertensive classes differ?

Left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH] is a serious condition associated with development of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure and sudden cardiac death. This work was assigned to compare three antihypertensive drugs, namely ramipril, losartan and atenolol for a goal beyond blood pressure control i.e. reduction of LVH. LVH, induced in rats by fructose feeding for four weeks, was reduced significantly by the antihypertensive doses of the three drugs. Doubling the dose produced more significant LVH reduction with no more significant drop in blood pressure by ramipril and losartan, while atenolol produced no more significant LVH regression despite the more significant drop in blood pressure and bradycardia. It can be concluded that ramipril and losartan are more superior for LVH regression and more tolerable than atenolol since they have benefits beyond blood pressure control by blocking the rennin angiotensin system. So, we recommend dose titration of ramipril or losartan to the most maximum tolerable dose in hypertensive patients with LVH for reducing cardiovascular risks by regression of LVH

Assessment of socio demographic risk factors of coronary heart disease among patients visiting coronary out patient

The study was conducted to assess the socio demographic risk factors of coronary heart disease among patients visiting cardiology out patient department of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Design: Cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at the coronary out patient department of the Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. The period of study was 4 months starting from September 1, 2002 and ending on January 31, 2003. Material/ methods: An interview was conducted on systematic random sample of two hundred patients who were selected for the purpose from among the individuals who registered themselves at cardiology out patient department. The information was recorded on a pre designed form. In the study 84.7% of the patients were between the age group 40 to 70 years. 61% patients with coronary heart disease were males. Majority of patients were matric or below. 2.5% of patients with coronary heart disease were having income less than RS 5000/ month. The percentage of patients with family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease were 67.85. Significant number of patients 64.4% was Hypertensive, 33.9% were diabetic, 47.4% were smokers and 72% were sedentary. Conclusions: The study revealed statistical association between coronary heart disease and age, sex, marital status, educational status. Hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity but failed to demonstrate an association between income, family history of risk factors and physical activity