Introduction :Hypertension is one of the main disease in Indonesia. According to Hasil Riset Kesehatan Dasar 2007 the mortality rate of hypertension is as high as 31,9%. Almond nut has notable benefits in maintaining cardiovascular function. Research by Jenkins, et al in 2002 revealed that almond has marked function in lowering LDL cholesterol, thus lowering the risk of coronary heart disease.
Method : Both men and women aged 45-64 that were working in Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Semanggi were picked using convenience sampling method in result of 39 subjects. Subjects were given and instructed to take almonds 10g/day for 2 weeks after their blood pressure were measured. After 2 weeks of routine consumption, subjects’ blood pressure were measured and taken into data
Results : Marked decrease of blood diastolic pressure are only observed in female (P=0,003), age range 45-54 years old (P=0,007), those who are in stadium 1 (P=0,045) and 2 (P=0,045) hypertension consecutively, and those who were taking antihypertensive drugs (P=0,001). However, there has been no marked decrease of systolic blood pressure.
Conclusions : Almond consumption decreases systolic blood pressure in female, age range 45-54 years old, patient in stadium 1 and 2 hypertension, and taking antihypertensive drugs while it has no effect in decreasing systloc blood pressure. |