• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2009

Objectives : To access the safety and efficacy of Black Ginseng (BG), a traditional herbal medicine on hypertension, we examined various parameters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Methods : We made deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA;25 mg/kg/3times/weeks for 3 weeks)-induced hypertension Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. And experiment group was treated with extract of black ginseng (BG;200 mg/kg/day). Results : In results, the weight of experiment group treated with BG was increased compared with normal and control group. And the heart and lung weights of experiment group were decreased compared with control group. The blood pressure and pulse rate of group treated with BG were significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, BG greatly reduced the levels of aldosterone. These results suggested that BG has suppressive effects on hypertension, and BG has potential as a safe and effective therapeutics for hypertension. Conclusions : The present data show evidences on anti-hypertension activity of BG in an experimental animal system, which can provide further insights into the development of anti-hypertension therapeutic agents.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.285-295
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• 2009

Purpose: This study surveyed first-year college students on their knowledge of hypertension and their health behavior to obtain basic data necessary to develop hypertension prevention and management programs. Method: Subjects were 561 first-year students at a college in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire during the period from 01 October to 08 December 2007. Data analysis involved t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS for Windows. Results: Of the total subjects, 149 (26.6%) had a family history of hypertension 253 (45.1%) knew their blood pressure, 365 (65.9%) did not measure blood pressure, and 388 (69.1%) were not interested in knowing their blood pressure. Subjects' knowledge related to hypertension averaged 11.54 points out of 22, hypertension-related health behavior averaged 2.31 points out of 4. With a higher score indicative of increased attention paid to healthy behavior. Conclusion: Knowledge of blood pressure and characteristics of hypertension and management of both blood pressure and hypertension can be inadequate in first-year college students. Increased knowledge of hypertension may lead to better health behavior.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.504-514
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• 2023

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between prescribing institutions and medication adherence among patients newly diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes. Methods: This study investigated patients with new prescriptions for hypertension and diabetes in Korea in 2019 with using data collected from general health screenings. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to explore the relationship between patients' first prescribing institution and their medication adherence, defined as a medication possession ratio (MPR) over 80%. Results: The overall adherence rates were 53.7% and 56.0% among patients with hypertension and diabetes, respectively. The intra-class correlation coefficients were 13.2% for hypertension and 13.8% for diabetes (p<0.001), implying that the first prescribing institution had a significant role in medication adherence. With clinics as the reference group, all other types of hospitals showed an odds ratio (OR) less than 1.00, with the lowest for tertiary hospitals (OR, 0.30 for hypertension; 0.45 for diabetes), and the next lowest in health screening specialized clinics (OR, 0.51 for hypertension; 0.46 for diabetes). Among individual-level variables, female sex, older age, higher insurance premium level, and residing in cities were positively associated with adherence in both the hypertension and diabetes samples. Conclusions: This study showed that the prescribing institution had a significant relationship with medication adherence. When the first prescribing institution was a clinic, newly diagnosed patients were more likely to adhere to their medication. These results highlight the important role played by primary care institutions in managing mild chronic diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.74-93
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There has been an increased interest in determining calcium magnesium, sodium, and potassium's distinct effects on hypertension over the past decade, yet they simultaneously regulate blood pressure. We aimed at examining the association of dietary calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium independently and jointly with hypertension using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 to 2014. MATERIALS/METHODS: The associations were examined on a large cross-sectional study involving 16684 US adults aged>20 years, using multivariate analyses with logistical models. RESULTS: Sodium and calcium quartiles assessed alone were not associated with hypertension. Potassium was negatively associated with hypertension in the highest quartile, 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.87). When jointly assessed using the high and low cut-off points, low sodium and corresponding high calcium, magnesium, and potassium intake somewhat reduced the odds of hypertension 0.39 (95% CI, 0.20-0.76). The sodium-to-potassium ratio was positively associated with hypertension in the highest quartile1.50 (95% CI, 1.11-2.02). When potassium was adjusted for sodium intake and sodium-to-potassium ratio assessed among women, increased odds of hypertension were reported in the highest quartile as 2.02 (95% CI, 1.18-3.34) and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.12-2.57), respectively. The association of combined minerals on hypertension using dietary goals established that men meeting the reference intakes for calcium and exceeding for magnesium had reduced odds of hypertension 0.51 (95% CI, 0.30-0.89). Women exceeding the recommendations for both calcium and magnesium had the lower reduced odds of 0.30 (95% CI, 0.10-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the studied minerals' association on hypertension is stronger when jointly assessed, mostly after gender stratification. As compared to men, women increased their risk of hypertension even with a low sodium intake. Women would also reasonably reduce their risk of developing hypertension by increasing calcium and magnesium intake. In comparison, men would somewhat be protected from developing hypertension with calcium intake meeting the dietary goals and magnesium exceeding the nutritional goals.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.135-147
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• 2009

Recently, The number of hypertension is increasing with westernized diet and lack of exercise. Many researchers are trying to treat and prevent hypertension by exercise therapy. However, not only did most of studies analyze the effect and usefulness of exercise related to lowering hypertension, but also there is no analysis of the difference of fitness with regard to hypertension according to ages. It is assumed to be important research work to be continued to identify, from the public health's point of view, the difference of fitness with regard to hypertension according to ages can be a essential data for treating and preventing hypertension. Thus, this study is to identify the difference of fitness according to hypertension of adult female over 20s and emphasize the importance of fitness level to the hypertension. Also, this study is to devise valuable study by examining the difference of cardiovascular function. Subjects were 8889 of adult female over 20s. Subjects visited promotion of health center at Y Gu public health center and took comprehensive medical test including hypertension test in Seoul in Korea. It was divided into normal, prehypertension, stage I hypertension and stage II hypertension group by JNC7. The evaluation of cardiorespiratory function was by resting heart rate and lung capacity, the evaluation of fitness was by cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, power, agility, balance, and flexibility, and the difference of fitness was analyzed by ANCOVA revising independent variable of BMI, drinking, and smoking which affects hypertension. At result, there was significant difference between normal and hypertension group according to most ages in two variable of all cardiorespiratory function, seven fitness variable. Through this study, it was defined that hypertension group had lower cardiorespiratory function and fitness than normal group.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.556-565
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• 2014

Objectives: This study is aimed at inquiring into the grasp of real condition of working environment and improvements by calculating the hypertension distribution consequent on job stress risk and exposure level of alleviating factors. In addition, this study is intending to estimate the hypertension distribution through socio-demographic factors and level of stressors occurring at working environment, such as high workload, low control, low support, job insecurity, long working hours, low income. Methods: This study estimated the hypertension distribution using the tertiary Korean Working Conditions Survey data, and conducted comparative analysis according to the category of individual questionnaire items using odds ratio. Result: As a result of study, it was found that in the event that working environment satisfaction is low and business & an immediate superior's attitudes are negative, the hypertension distribution was high. Particularly, it was found that physical risk factor musculoskeletal risk factor, and mental risk factor in a workplace were all increasing the hypertension distribution. Conclusions: With the aged workers' labor market participation ratio increasing, hypertension could be a major issue in the field of Occupational Safety and Health. Thus, it's necessary that the relevant employer should lower the hypertension distribution through creation of pleasant working environment and inducement of workers to improve in the relations with their superiors. As for the uppermost limit of this study, there is a limit to clarifying the mechanism of hypertension through multivariate statistics analysis because it's difficult to establish causal relationship by individual questionnaire item as the working conditions survey is made by cross-sectional study. In the follow-up research, this study is going to do research on the mechanism of hypertension through questionnaire supplementation and in-depth analysis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2010

Objectives: Prehypertension is associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension compared with normotension. Yet, factors predicting the development of hypertension among prehypertensive people are ill-understood. This prospective cohort study was performed to examine if serum gamma-glutamyltrasferase (GGT) within a normal range can predict the future risk of hypertension among prehypertensive adults. Methods: Study subjects were 293 prehypertensive persons >30-years-of-age who participated in a community-based health survey in 2003 and who were followed up in 2008. Sex-specific quartiles of baseline serum GGT were used to examine association with 5-year hypertension incidence. Results: Baseline serum GGT within normal range predicted the risk of developing hypertension for 5 years only in prehypertensive women. Adjusted relative risks were 1.0, 3.7, 3.6, and 6.0 according to quartiles of baseline serum GGT (P for trend <0.01). This pattern was similarly observed in non-drinkers. However, serum GGT was not associated with incident hypertension in men. Different from serum GGT, baseline serum alanine aminotransferase, another well-known liver enzyme, did not predict the risk of incident hypertension in both genders. Conclusions: Even though baseline serum GGT within normal range strongly predicted the future risk of hypertension, it was observed only in women, Although underlying mechanisms of this association are currently unclear, serum GGT can be used to select a high risk group of hypertension in prehypertensive women.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.385-396
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• 2004

Purpose: Hypertension has been a major cause of death in Korea since the 1970s, and has resulted in being a significant economic burden to the finances of national health care. The Ministry of Health and Welfare made several efforts. but hypertension control programs in Korea are still non standardized and ineffective. We wanted to investigate the current hypertension control program in public health centers systematically and suggest the direction for future programs. Method: The design of this study is a cross sectional investigation. From September to October in 2002, we sent a set of questionnaires to all PHCs, and 179 centers responded (response rate = 74.0%). The instrument was developed based on components of National health systems. Results: 1) Resources: The department responsible for hypertension control programs is the Department of Health Promotion. Health Education Center, Community Health Center, Citizen's Health Center, etc. The chief personnel of those departments are nurses. but 27.4% of PHCs have no full time nurse for hypertension management programs. PHCs had a lot of teaching materials (nine types per a PHC) and most of the recommended contents were included. But, periodical evaluation and revision were not being made, 2) Management: Nurses' (13.03 9.46 in 23 score) actions for hypertension control were not qualitative, but regular training and evaluation were seldom carried out. Need assessment (25.9%) and evaluation (about 10-20%) for the hypertension control program were indicated as low. 3) Programs: Programs focused on individuals rather than community or public, and 2nd prevention rather than 1st, 3rd prevention. Conclusion: The Ministry of Health and Welfare has to construct the infrastructure for hypertension control programs. Related scholars and committees should develop and declare standardized manuals for hypertension control and the management system, as well.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.353-359
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• 2013

Objectives: We examined the trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Korea as a basis for improving hypertension control programs. Methods: 12 598 participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this study. Weighted linear regression to test time trends from 2007 to 2011 was performed. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 20.7% in 2007, 29.4% in 2009, and 26.2% in 2011. Awareness of hypertension was 64.8% in 2007 and 61.1% in 2011. Awareness in those aged 65 and over was greater than in younger groups (age 19 to 44 and 45 to 64; p<0.001). The treatment rates were 58.4% in 2007 and 56.8% in 2011. The treatment rate was greater for those 65 and over than for younger age groups (p<0.001). The percentage of controlled hypertension was 37.6% in 2011. The percentage of controlled hypertension in those 65 and over was higher than in younger age groups (p<0.001). The treatment-control rates were 65.9% in 2007 and 67.7% in 2011. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in the males (p<0.001), while the awareness (p<0.001), treatment (p<0.001), and control (p<0.001) rates were higher in the females. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension was increasing and the hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates were low in younger age groups and males.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2003

Objectives : To identify the factors related to awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a Gwacheen population. Methods : This study surveyed 1,176 Gwacheon residents older than 40 years, and measured blood pressure using a standardized guideline in 1999. The study subjects were 473 adults (175 males, 295 females) with hypertension defined as a systolic blood pressure $\geq$140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure $\geq$90 mmHg or reported treatment with antihypertensive medication. Information on awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, and sociodemographic and health-related factors .was collected through person-to-person interviews with a structured questionnaire. Results : Overall, 252 (53.3%) of hypertensive subjects were aware of their condition, of whom as many as 193 (76.6%) were being treated, and 81 (42.0%) had their blood pressure controlled at the recommended level (<140/90 mmHg). However, of the 473 subjects found to have hypertension, only 40.8% were being treated, and 17.1% were under control. There were no significant differences in the proportions of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension. In multiple logistic regression models, awareness of hypertension was positively associated with age and family history of hypertension in females. Control of hypertension was also positively associated with haying a partner and marital status in females.. Conclusion : These findings demonstrate that much greater efforts on improving awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension are needed, even in urban community settings, considering related factors such as a9e, family history, and marital status. However, these factors should be further investigated for their causal relationship.