Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 Sep; 21(9): 660-2.

[Effect of songling xuemaikang capsule combined with captopril on quality of life in primary hypertension patients]

Chen WQ, Chen FR.

Foshan Municipal TCM Hospital, Guangdong 528000.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the hypotensive effects of captopril and combined medication of Songling Xue-maikang Capsule (SXC) with captopril on quality of life (QOL) in treating primary hypertension patients. METHODS: For 166 hypertension patients, a perspective randomized double blind study was performed with both sexes, aged 42-78 years, blood pressure (BP) ranged > or = 140/90 mmHg and < or = 200/110 mmHg. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: captopril group and combined medication group. Each patient should answer the QOL questionnaire independently before and after experiment. 60 age-matched normotensive subjects without chronic diseases served as control. RESULTS: Both hypertension groups showed an improvement of BP and QOL after treatment, but the combined medication group had a higher score in sense of well being, physical symptom-signs, work performance and life satisfaction than the captopril group had. CONCLUSION: Combined medication of captopril and SXC had better effect than captopril alone either in lowering BP or in improving QOL of primary hypertension patients.