Objective: To determine the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation in addition to lifestyle modifications as a treatment for Stage I hypertension. Design: Randomized prospective crossover study Setting: Tertiary hospital, outpatient department. Methodology: A total of 62 patients out of 72 prospective subjects aged 60 years old and above, diagnosed to have Stage I hypertension were included in the study. Subjects were assigned to two (2) groups, Groups I and II through random allocation method. Both groups had 32 subjects initially and underwent two (2) phases, each phase lasting for 3 months. In phase I, Group I was given ascorbic acid 500 mg in addition to lifestyle modification instructions and Group II with lifestyle modifications only. A washout period was observed for one (1) week after the first phase. In phase II, ascorbic acid was withheld from Group I and given to Group II, with both still receiving lifestyle modification instructions. All participants were instructed to return every month for blood pressure determination in all phases of the study. Data gathered were analyzed using Epi-Info and Epi Stat software. Results: Two (2) patients dropped out from Group I. The mean age of Group I was 68.59 and Group II at 69.02. There were more males in both groups at 56 percent in Group I and 65 percent in group II. Most were married. More subjects in Group I (56 percent) had normal BMI while more subjects in Group II (53 percent) were overweight. Six patients (9 percent) had noted side effects but had not warranted to stop treatment. A significant decrease of 9.8 mmHg from the baseline was noted from those receiving ascorbic acid in addition to lifestyle modifications compared to 7.2 mmHg decrease in those practicing lifestyle modifications only. Conclusion: This study has shown that an addition of 500 mg ascorbic acid daily to lifestyle modifications is more beneficial in lowering blood pressure in stage I hypertension as compared with lifestyle modifications only.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 and over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; LIFE STYLE ; AGED ; ASCORBIC ACID ; HYPERTENSION