Stroke is a commonly-seen disease. Hypertension, cardiac hypertropy, abnormalities of coagulation fribrinolytic system and metabolism of apolipoprotien were an important risk factor in stroke. Since 1958, a study of prospective comparison was undertaken to evaluate the long-term effect of qigong in hypertensive patients.
1. 242 hypertensive patients were divided randomly into the qigong group (treated by qigong and small dosage of regular, antihypertensive drugs (n=122) and the control group (treated by the antihypertensive drugs only n= 120). 30 years follow-up showed that their blood pressure steady rate was 86.81% and 68.25%, respectively (p<O.01). The accumulated mortality rate during the follow-up period was 25.41% in the qigong group. 47.76% in the control group(P<O.001). Further analysis showed that the incidence of stroke and death due to stroke in the qigong group was 20.49% and 15.57%, respectively, compared with 40.83% and 32.50% in the control group, both rates in the qigong group were significantly lower (P <0.01).
2. Ultrasonic cardiogram was performed on 40 hypertensive patients.
(a) Before treatment, ejection fraction (EF) was 0.57±0. 9, mitral vale diastolic closing velocity (EFV) was 0. 92±0.30, and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (MVCF) was 68.67±20.40. After practicing qigong for one year.they were 0.64±0.10.1, 10±0.26 and 76.64±17.41, respectively, (P<O.05—0.01).
(b) Before treatment, interventrical septal thickness (lVST) was 12.96±1.64 (mm) and posterior wall thickness (PWT) was 11.38±1.64(mm). After practicing qigong for one year, they were 11.24±1.81 (mm) and 9.98±1.32 (mm),respectively, (P<O.01). The above results indicated that qigong had beneficial effects on improvement of the left ventricular function as well as diminution of cardiac hypertrophy.
3. Plasma coagulation firbrinolysis indices were preformed on 40 hypertensive patients. Before treatment, plasma PAl (plasminogen activator inhibitor) was 9.17±1.57 (Iu/ml), tpA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) was 1.52±0.24 (Im/ml), VlllR:Ag was 130.40±41.11 (%) and AT—III was 27.99±3.48 (mg/dl). After one year of practicing qigong, plasma PAI (8.lO±l. 68 Iu/ml) and VllR:Ag (131.50±38.35%) levels decreased, while plasma tpA (2.66±0.73 Iu/ml) and AT—III (34. 41±7.O9 mg/dl) increased. The above results suggested that qigong could play a major role in improvement of the function of coagulation—the firbrinolytic system.
4. Serum apolipoprotien was performed on 40 hypertensive patients. Before treatment, levels of ApoA, ApoB, and the ApoA/ApoB ratio were 117. 89±31.03 (g/1), 118.15±18.24 (g/1), and 1.OO±O.61, respectively. After practicing qigong for one year, they were 133. 58±28.16 (g/1), 102.21±19.17 (g/1) and 1.31±0.71, respectively, (P<O.OS-O.001). These findings suggested that qigong had beneficial effect on improvement of metabolism of apolipoprotien. According to both our past and present investigations, we believe that qigong plays a major role in improving the self-regulation and alleviating the multiple cerebro-cardiovascular risk factors. this might be one of mechanisms of which hypertension was controlled and stroke was prevented.
