BLOOD PRESSURE

Non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and glaucoma cause serious health issues and hardships in sub-Saharan Africa, often made worse by a lack of access to regular medical services. This research examines how the leaf extracts from Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye pressure in healthy adults, both separately and together. One hundred and seventy-four (174) participants (mean age 34.3 ± 7.1 years) received single administrations of hot aqueous extracts of S. bicolor, A. paniculata, or a 1:1 mixed extract. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) and IOP (mmHg, right eye [RE] and left eye [LE]) were measured at baseline and four hours post- administration. The results revealed statistically significant reductions (p < 0.05) across all parameters in all treatment groups. For Sorghum bicolor, systolic pressure decreased from 126.15 ± 15.9 to 120.80 ± 15.0 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 85.60 ± 11.1 to 80.03 ± 10.4 mmHg, blood glucose from 82.86 ± 14.61 to 70.39 ± 11.99 mg/dL, and IOP from 16.88 ± 2.5 to 15.83 ± 1.6 mmHg (right eye) and from 17.14 ± 1.93 to 16.12 ± 1.8 mmHg (left eye). Similar reductions were observed with Andrographis paniculata, where systolic pressure fell from 129.44 ± 14.7 to 121.20 ± 16.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 84.60 ± 13.3 to 77.13 ± 11.4 mmHg, and blood glucose from 83.61 ± 13.2 to 75.26 ± 11.43 mg/dL, while IOP decreased to 14.49 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.98 ± 2.0 mmHg (left). The combined extract produced the greatest effect, with systolic pressure reducing from 134.63 ± 15.7 to 128.68 ± 15.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 87.10 ± 22.1 to 77.90 ± 12.2 mmHg, blood glucose from 80.42 ± 12.04 to 74.40 ± 10.20 mg/dL, and IOP from 15.94 ± 1.8 to 14.94 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.67 ± 1.5 to 15.13 ± 2.7 mmHg (left). These results demonstrate that both Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata extracts—singularly and in combination—can significantly lower blood pressure, blood glucose, and intraocular pressure within a short period following administration. The enhanced effects observed with the combined extract suggest possible synergistic interactions between their phytochemical constituents.

Background: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure are risk factors for various health conditions. Cocos nucifera (coconut) extract has been suggested to possess potential hypotensive and IOP-lowering properties. Purpose: This study investigated the effects of graded doses of Cocos nucifera extract on IOP, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in normotensive subjects. Methods: Forty normotensive participants were divided into four groups (n=10 per group): three receiving different doses of Cocos nucifera extract (2.86 g/kg, 5.71 g/kg, and 8.57 g/kg body weight) and a control group receiving 300 ml of water. IOP and blood pressure were measured before and hourly for four hours after administration. Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests to compare each extract group to the control and ANOVA to assess differences across the extract dosage groups. Results: Significant reductions in mean IOP were observed in all extract groups compared to the control (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). While all doses lowered IOP compared to control, differences between the extract doses were not statistically significant (p = 0.308). For DBP, all extract groups showed significant reductions compared to the control (p < 0.01 for the 2.86 g/kg group, p < 0.001 for the 5.71 g/kg and 8.57 g/kg groups), with a significant dose-dependent effect observed across the extract groups (p < 0.001). For SBP, only the 5.71 g/kg group showed a significant reduction compared to the control (p < 0.001), although the ANOVA showed a significant overall effect of the extract across the dosage groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cocos nucifera extract demonstrates potential IOP-lowering and DBP-reducing effects in normotensive subjects. The effect on DBP appears to be dose dependent. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of action and long-term effects.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the arteries as it is pumped by the heart. It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and expressed as two numbers: Systolic BP (the pressure during heart contraction) over diastolic BP (the pressure during relaxation). Hypertension and hypotension are two common conditions associated with blood pressure dysregulation. Accurate measurement of BP is crucial in diagnosing and managing hypertension, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and kidney failure. Body and arm positioning significantly affect the accuracy of blood pressure readings. Purpose: This study is to investigate the effect of body and arm positions on blood pressure readings.
Methods: The study checks the blood pressure of 60 student participants using a digital and a mercury sphygmomanometer to compare the difference in readings obtained before the digital sphygmomanometer was then used to measure the blood pressure of 60 staff of the University of Benin.
Results: The difference between the digital sphygmomanometer readings against mercury sphygmomanometer was determined to not be statistically significant (P>0.05). The findings show that the difference between the blood pressure values derived from the standard blood pressure measurement posture compared to the other 9 different arm and body positions used in this study was determined to be statistically significant (P-value <0.0001).
Conclusion: Body and arm positioning have significant effects on blood pressure readings, regardless of sex, age, or body mass index. Improper positioning such as unsupported back, crossed legs, or arm below heart level results in elevated readings that may lead to overestimation of blood pressure and potential misdiagnosis of hypertension. Digital sphygmomanometers can provide reliable results if proper blood pressure measurement techniques are followed.