High sensitive CRP levels, Plasma renin activity and blood pressure among Hypertensive patients practicing Yoga exercises

• Author Details:   
• Balaji PA
• Smitha R Varne

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Introduction: Numerous studies have shown an increase in the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with raised blood pressure above 130/90 mm Hg. Good control of hypertension is very important to prevent its complications. Few studies suggested that yoga practice lowers the levels of inflammatory markers like hs-CRP, IL-6 as well as plasma renin levels, and blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Aim of the present study was to assess the changes in high sensitive CRP levels, plasma renin activity and blood pressure among hypertensive patients practicing yoga exercises.
Materials and Method: Forty five hypertensive patients involved, were subjected for six months of yoga exercises. Blood pressure, plasma renin and high sensitive CRP levels were estimated before the starting and at the end of six months study period. The data obtained were analyzed using MedCalc Statistical Software version 12.7.8 with t-test for paired data and P value was considered significant below 0.05.
Results: There was statistically significant decrease in both systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure and hs-CRP with p<0.05, however no significant change was observed in plasma renin activity.
Conclusion: Six months of yoga practice has significant effects by causing decrease in both systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure and hs-CRP, but no change was observed in plasma rennin activity and hence yoga can be used as adjunctive treatment with drug therapy.

Keywords: Yoga, High sensitive CRP levels, Plasma renin activity and Blood pressure