Effectiveness of Aqueous Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract on Reduction of Blood Pressure and Serum Lipids Among Prehypertensive Patients

Abstract

Pre-experimental one group pertest post-test research design was adopted to investigate the effectiveness of aqueous flower extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa in reduction of blood pressure, serum lipids among 60 prehypertensive patients. A self-structured questionnaire and manual sphygmomanometer and stethoscope monitored blood pressure levels before and after administering Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. Results showed a significant drop in blood pressure levels among prehypertensive patients with a mean difference score of 12.75, and a substantial decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value of 16.280 was statistically significant at P < 0.001 level, indicating that oral supplementation of Hibiscus sabdariffa’s flower extract is effective in reducing blood pressure and serum cholesterol in prehypertensive patients.