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Vitamin E can reduce blood pressure in mild hypertensives
Maryam Boshtam1, Morteza Rafiei, Kamran Sadeghi
1Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, PO Box 81465-1148, Isfahan, Iran.
Insights
Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced blood pressure in mild hypertensive patients. This antioxidant may improve cardiovascular health by enhancing blood pressure status in the long term.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Mild hypertension affects a significant portion of the adult population.
- Antioxidants, such as vitamin E, are being investigated for their potential cardiovascular benefits.
- Understanding the impact of vitamin E on blood pressure is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin E supplementation in managing blood pressure and heart rate in patients with mild hypertension.
- To determine the long-term effects of a daily 200 IU vitamin E dose on cardiovascular parameters.
Main Methods:
- A triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 70 mild hypertensive subjects.
- Randomized allocation into a drug group (vitamin E 200 IU/day) and a placebo group for 27 weeks.
- Measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and blood vitamin E levels at baseline and end of study.
Main Results:
- Vitamin E supplementation led to a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (-24%) and diastolic blood pressure (-12.5%) compared to placebo.
- A notable reduction in heart rate was observed in the vitamin E group (-4.3%) versus the placebo group (-14.0%).
- Blood vitamin E levels were measured to confirm adherence and efficacy.
Conclusions:
- A daily 200 IU vitamin E supplement is effective in improving blood pressure in mild hypertensive patients.
- Vitamin E may exert its antihypertensive effects possibly through nitric oxide pathways.
- Vitamin E supplementation can be a beneficial long-term strategy for managing mild hypertension.
Abstract:
This triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to determine the effects of the anti-oxidant vitamin E on blood pressure and heart rate in patients with mild hypertension. A total of 70 new mild hypertensive subjects (systolic blood pressure, SBP: 140-160 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure, DBP: 90-100 mmHg) without secondary hypertension were selected from among people referred to the Hypertension Unit of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center and divided randomly into two groups of drug (DG) and placebo (PG). All subjects were aged from 20 to 60 years old, without any other cardiovascular risk factors. The drug group received vitamin E tablets (200 IU/day) and the placebo group received placebo only for 27 weeks. At the beginning and the end of the study, the blood vitamin E level was measured fluorimetrically in all subjects according to the Hansen and Warwick method [14, 15]. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the beginning, during, and at the end of the study. Blood pressure was measured by a physician using one random zero mercury sphygmomanometer. Personal information and dietary habits of subjects were collected by separate questionnaire. At the end of the study, it was found that the vitamin E supplement had caused a remarkable decrease in SBP (-24% in DG versus -1.6% in PG) and a less remarkable decrease in DBP (-12.5% in DG versus -6.2% in PG) (p < 0.05). The change in heart rate was -4.3% in DG, and -14.0% in PG (p < 0.05). It is concluded that a vitamin E supplement of 200 IU/day can be effective in mild hypertensive patients in the long term, probably due to nitric oxide, and improve their blood pressure status. Therefore, vitamin E supplement could be recommended to such patients.