Abstract
Refractory hypertension is blood pressure that remains above 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg), despite the adherence to appropriate lifestyle changes and the concurrent use of optimal doses of three antihypertensive agents of different classes (Pisoni et al., 2009). Hypertension results in 7.6 million deaths annually and 92 million disability adjusted years worldwide (Mooren, 2012), and thus it is the number one attributable risk for death throughout the world (Pickering, 2008). It has also been observed to be higher in urban populations compared to rural populations (Peltzer & Mafuya, 2013).
A direct positive relationship between hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk has been observed in men and women of all ages, races and ethnic groups regardless of other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (Hall et al., 2008).
Conventional treatment involves lifestyle modification and antihypertensive drug therapy however these measures may not reduce blood pressure effectively (McPhee et al., 2011; Hall et al., 2008). Some preliminary studies have shown the usefulness of homoeopathic complexes in the treatment of essential hypertension (Kohler et al., 2004; Mogapi & Tsele-Tebakang, 2014). There has been no research done to date on the effect of the combination of Amylenum nitrosum 6cH, Crataegus oxyacantha 6cH, Natrum muriaticum 6cH and Scutellaria lateriflora 6cH in adults with refractory hypertension.
The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of a homoeopathic complex containing Amylenum nitrosum 6cH, Crataegus oxyacantha 6cH, Natrum muriaticum 6cH and Scutellaria lateriflora 6cH on blood pressure in adults with refractory hypertension, by means of blood pressure readings.
This study was a six week, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Potential participants aged 35-65 years with refractory hypertension that responded to the advert (Appendix A) attended an initial consultation and were requested to read and sign a Participant Information and Consent Form (Appendix C).All consultations took place under the supervision of a qualified homoeopath. The medical history and physical examination (including vital signs, fundoscopic exam, cardiovascular exam, respiratory exam and urinalysis) were recorded on the Case Form (Appendix D). Blood pressure readings were taken on each arm with a manual blood pressure cuff according to standard operating procedures (Appendix E). Individuals with secondary organ damage from hypertension were excluded from the study. Those participants that qualified for the study were placed into two groups. One group received a 30ml bottle of the homoeopathic complex and the other group a 30ml bottle of placebo...
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)