Effectiveness of Garlic Intake on Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients in a Selected Community at Mangalore

Hypertension is a disease of vascular regulation in which the mechanisms that control arterial pressure within the normal range are altered. Hypertension is typically defined as having a systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 100 mm Hg. The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of garlic intake on blood pressure among hypertensive patients in a selected community at Mangalore.

The research approach used for the study was the experimental research approach. The conceptual framework was based on the Theory of Imogene King's. A quasi experimental research design was used to study 40 hypertensive patients. The samples were selected by the purposive sampling technique. The data was collected by using demographic proforma, compliance diary and blood pressure monitoring chart. The data collected was analyzed to achieve the objectives of the study and to test the research hypotheses using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Result showed that the mean systolic blood pressure in post-test 1 (136.1±7.23) and post-test 2 (122.8±3.07) of the experimental group was significantly lower than the mean post-test 1 (141.1±7.55), post-test 2 (141±7.49) in control group, i.e., t₃₈=2.14, t₃₈=10.04 at 0.05 level of significance respectively. The mean diastolic blood pressure in post-test 1 (87.7±4.86), post-test 2 (80.8±1.76) of the experimental group was significantly lower than the mean post-test 1 (80.8±1.76), post-test 2 (91.5±5.10) in control group i.e., t₃₈=2.8, t₃₈=13.01s at 0.05 level of significance respectively. This shows that garlic was effective in reducing blood pressure in experimental group. The findings of the study proved that there was reduction in the blood pressure due to garlic administration. Garlic is used as an alternative method for the control of blood pressure among hypertensive clients. The main advantage is that garlic is cheap, easily available and has no side effect.