This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of DASH diet and Progressive muscle relaxation on cardiovascular risks in postmenopausal women.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in men and women, but the incidence of cardiovascular disease related deaths is higher in women than men. Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Aging in both men and women is characterized by increases in blood pressure (BP), but the age-related increases are more rapid in women particularly postmenopausal women than in men. A variety of non-pharmacologic treatments to manage stress have been found effective in reducing blood pressure and the development of hypertension. The DASH eating pattern promotes blood pressure reduction by encouraging the consumption of foods that are low in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, and sodium and high in potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and protein. In terms of actual food choices, the DASH eating pattern encourages whole grains, fat free or low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, and nuts. Foods that are limited include fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, tropical oils (e.g., coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils), and sweets and sugar sweetened beverages. The mechanism by which relaxation techniques lower blood pressure is unclear. One theory suggests that they may help lower the stress and physiologic arousal produced by the autonomic nervous system, thereby reducing blood pressure. So this study is a trial to determine the effect of DASH diet and progressive muscle relaxation in reducing cardiovascular risks in postmenopausal women.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
90
The participants will be treated with the DASH diet (1600-1800 calories/ day) for three months, in addition to antihypertensive drugs.
The participants will be treated with progressive muscle relaxation for 30 minutes, 3 times/week for 3 months, in addition to antihypertensive drugs.
All participants in all groups will be treated with antihypertensive drugs as prescribed from the physician
Farahnaz Ahmed Mohamed
Suez, Egypt
RECRUITINGSystolic blood pressure
A sphygmomanometer will be used to measure systolic blood pressure (mmHg) for all participants in all groups before and after the treatment program
Time frame: 3 months
Diastolic blood pressure
A sphygmomanometer will be used to measure systolic blood pressure (mmHg) for all participants in all groups before and after the treatment program
Time frame: 3 months
Low density lipoprotein
Blood analysis will be used to measure level of low-density lipoprotein (mg/dl) for all participants in all groups before and after the treatment program. Its normal value is less than 100 mg/dl.
Time frame: 3 months
High density lipoprotein
Blood analysis will be used to measure level of high-density lipoprotein (mg/dl) for all participants in all groups before and after the treatment program. Its normal value is from 40 to more than 60 mg/dl.
Time frame: 3 months
Triglyceride level
Blood analysis will be used to measure the level of triglycerides (mg/dl) for all participants in all groups before and after the treatment program. Its normal value is less than 150 mg/dl.
Time frame: 3 months
Total cholesterol level
Blood analysis will be used to measure level of total cholesterol (mg/dl) for all participants in all groups before and after the treatment program. Its normal value is up to 200 mg/dl.
Time frame: 3 months
Stress measurement
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Perceived stress scale (PSS) will be used to assess the degree of stress for all participants in all groups before and after the treatment program.The questions in the PSS ask about feelings and thoughts during the last month. In each case, respondents are asked how often they felt a certain way. Scoring: PSS scores are obtained by reversing responses (e.g., 0 = 4, 1 = 3, 2 = 2, 3 = 1 \& 4 = 0) to the four positively stated items (items 4, 5, 7, \& 8) and then summing across all scale items. A short 4 items scale can be made from questions 2, 4, 5 and 10 of the PSS 10 items scale. The higher the total score, the higher the perceived stress level.
Time frame: 3 months