RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of hypertension patients. METHODS: A total of 80 out-patients and in-patients with primary hypertension were randomly and equally divided into acupuncture group and medication group. Patients of the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture stimulation of Fengchi (GB20), Qu-chi (LI 11), Taichong (LR 3), etc. for 30 min, combined with Xingjian (LR 2), Xiaxi (GB43) for hyperactivity of the liver-yang, with Ganshu (BL 18) and Fuliu (KI 7) for severe phlegm-damp, and with Guanyuan (CV 4) and Shenshu (BL23) for deficiency of both yin and yang, once per day, continuously for one month except weekends. In addition, patients of the medication group were ordered to take Diovan (80 mg) once daily, continuously for 30 days. Both casual blood pressure (CBP) and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) were detected by using an auscult-type baumanometer and a dynamic blood monitor, respectively. RESULTS: Of the two 40 cases in the medication and acupuncture groups, 18 (45.0%) and 27 (67.5%) experienced marked improvement in the reduction of blood pressure, 14 (35.0%) and 11 (27.5%) were improved, 8 (20.0%) and 2 (5.0%) failed, with the effective rates being 80.0% and 95.0%, respectively. The therapeutic effect of the acupuncture group was significantly superior to that of medication group in improving hypertension (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is superior to Diovan in relieving hypertension.