One review of four trials that comprised nearly 9000 participants looked at how well antihypertensive drugs prevent cardiovascular events and death in people with mild hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure of 140–159 mm Hg or diastolic pressure 90–99 mm Hg (or both). All participants were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline.

No effects were seen over four to five years, compared with placebo, for overall mortality (relative risk 0.85, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.15), coronary heart disease (1.12, 0.80 to 1.57), stroke (0.51, 0.24 to 1.08), or total cardiovascular events (0.97, 0.72 to 1.32). One in 10 people stopped taking antihypertensives because of adverse effects, a fivefold increase over placebo. The review did not report effects of drugs on blood pressure, if any. Another review found two small trials that compared garlic powder with placebo in people with mild hypertension. Garlic might help reduce blood pressure—possibly by about 10 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and a little less for diastolic blood pressure. However, the confidence intervals were wide, and no data were available on which to assess the potency of garlic to prevent cardiovascular events. Cocoa is rich in flavanols, which cause blood vessel dilatation and are thought to reduce blood pressure. Most of the 20 trials (about 850 participants) tested a daily dose of 500–750 mg of flavanols ingested through chocolate or cocoa products. Most participants were healthy and normotensive at baseline, and most trials lasted only about a month.

Small reductions in blood pressure were seen with cocoa, compared with placebo: −2.77 (−4.72 to −0.82) mm Hg for systolic pressure and −2.20 (−3.46 to −0.93) mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. One in 20 people allocated cocoa had adverse effects, compared with one in 100 of those receiving placebo. Gastrointestinal effects and a dislike of the product’s taste were the most common problems.

Information sourced from BMJ:

Cochrane Database Syst Rev2012;8:CD006742

Cochrane Database Syst Rev2012;8:CD008893

Yonemoto Physical Therapy, located in Alhambra, is now offering several qigong classes in April 2012. Here is their press release for their upcoming classes:

Want to get more energy, feel revitalized, have less stress, rid yourself of aches and pains with gentle, no impact movements? Then come take a qigong class with us. There will be three new qigong classes starting up in April. The classes will be held in YPT’s gym located at 25 S. Raymond Ave. Suite 100, Alhambra CA, 91801. For more information or to sign up please call us at (626) 576–0591.

Level 1 starts April 16th from 7PM to 8:30PM. It goes for 7 sessions. The first session is free.

Level 2 starts April 21st from 11AM to 12:30PM. Price per class is $30.

Level 3 starts April 21st from 9AM to 10:30AM. Price per class is $30.

What is Qigong?

Qigong — pronounced “kee kung” — teaches you how to focus your breath, movement, and awareness for when you’re exercising, meditating, or another healing act. It translates roughly to “life force practice” or “life force mastery.” Qigong’s root lies in the martial arts, Chinese medicine, and Chinese philosophy. Many are familiar with the concept of “Qi” or “intrinsic life energy” and how it is used in acupuncture. Qigong applies this concept to achieve a more productive exercise and meditation routine.