ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of hot spring baths on blood pressure, resting heart rate, cardiovascular function related indicators and physical signs in population with high-normal blood pressure.
MethodsResidents of typical hot spring areas in Guizhou Province were included as the subjects. According to the epidemiological survey of the research group and the physical examination results before the intervention, combined with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 217 people with high normal blood pressure were selected as the observation subjects. The intervention of hot spring baths was carried out for four weeks, once time per day, 5 times per week, for 40-50 minutes each time. After the intervention, the blood pressure, resting heart rate and serum levels of creatine kinase(CK), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase(α-HBDH)were detected, and the improvement of cardiovascular related signs(palpitation, dizziness/headache, cough/sputum and night sweats)were clinically examined. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis.
ResultsPaired t-test results showed that the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate of 217 high normal blood pressure subjects were significantly lower after hot spring baths(P < 0.01). Further analysis revealed that the number of people with high normal blood pressure dropped from 217 to 128 after the hot spring baths. Before the intervention, 95 of the 217 people with high-normal blood pressure had resting heart rates between 80 and 90 beats/min, and 35 of them above 90 beats/min. After the intervention, the resting heart rates of those above people decreased to 68 and 14, respectively. Serum levels of cardiovascular related indicators showed that CK, LDH, and α-HBDH levels in people with high-normal blood pressure decreased to some extent after the intervention, and CK level was significantly lower than that before the intervention(P < 0.05). The results of clinical examination showed that hot spring baths had a significant improvement effect on palpitation, dizziness/headache, cough/expectoration, and night sweats in people with high-normal blood pressure.
ConclusionThe typical hot spring baths in Guizhou Province can reduce the blood pressure and resting heart rate in population with high-normal blood pressure, and improve the cardiovascular function related indicators and physical signs to a certain extent.
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