[Association of waist circumference and blood pressure]

Obesity is a risk factor for the incidence of hypertension. Waist circumferences [WC] reflect abdominal fat distribution and provides a simple yet effective measure of truncal obesity, WC being correlated to blood pressure. In this study the relation between blood pressure and WC has been evaluated. The study is part of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program [IHHP] and included 7806 persons; demographic data were collected by questionnaires and body weight, height, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and WC were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using correlation, logistic regression and general linear regression. In all groups, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were correlated to WC. In younger patients, WC was correlated more with systolic blood pressure [r=0/119 for male and 0.248 for female] [P<0.001]; in older people [over 55 years], WC was correlated more to diastolic blood pressure [P<0.001]. This effect was independent of BMI, sex, age and daily energy intake. WC which is related to total body fat especially abdominal distribution of fat, is correlated positively to systolic and diastolic blood pressure; any increase of WC, even in persons with normal BMI could predict development of hypertension

study of the antioxidant effects of Iranian captopril on patients with hypertension and heart failure

Myocardial ischemia, cerebral ischemia and myocardial infarction are the most important complications of hypertension and atherosclerotic disease in developing countries. Angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors are among the drugs used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Captopril is an ACE-inhibitor which also has antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to assess the antioxidant effects of captopril on malondialdehyde [MDA], conjugated dienes [CD] and serum antioxidant capacity before and after treatment. This interventional prospective single-blind study was conducted on 34 mildly hypertensive individuals and 34 patients with stage I and II heart failure. MDA, CD and serum antioxidant capacity were measured in all samples. The patients were then given 50 mg captopril tablets 2-3 times daily. The measurements were repeated 1.5 months later. Comparison of mean MDA, CD and serum antioxidant capacity in hypertensive patients and patients with heart failure before and after drug administration revealed no significant difference in any of the parameters studied. Existing evidence is suggestive of the strong antioxidative properties of captopril in vitro, although these effects have not been borne out by some studies. In the present study, comparison of the results of MDA, CD and serum antioxidant measurements before and after the period of treatment with captopril did not reveal any statistically significant difference