Effects of cimicifuga racemosa on the hemodynamics parameters and quality of life in perimenopausal women with arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Increased blood pressure is major risk factors for morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure. Special studies have shown that women in perimenopause are a category of high risk of cardiovascular diseases and complications developing. The aim of research was to study the effects of cimicifuga racemosa on the hemodynamics parameters and quality of life in perimenopausal women with arterial hypertension.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The research involved 78 symptomatic perimenopausal women with arterial hypertension (AH) and menopausal syndrome (MS) and 30 hypertensive women with AH without MS manifestations as a control group. After prescription to all patients standard antihypertensive therapy, all women with AH and MS were randomized into 2 groups - the research group (40 patients) and the comparison group (38 patients). Cimicifuga racemosa extract BNO 1055 added to standard treatment of the research group, patients of comparison group and group of hypertensive women without MS continued receiving standard antihypertensive therapy. Before randomization and 8 weeks after prescribing therapy, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and quality of life (QoL) evaluation were made.

RESULTS: Results: After treatment, according to ABPM measurements there was a significant decrease of day and night systolic and diastolic blood pressure, more pronounced in the research group who received cimicifuga racemosa. Data of systolic blood pressure variability per day and night in research group were significantly reduced to normal values, in comparison group was just systolic blood pressure variability decrease. After 8 weeks treatment QoL improved in the all study groups, but the most pronounced effect was observed in a group of patients who received of cimicifuga racemosa with a standard antihypertensive treatment.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The data have shown positive effects of cimicifuga racemosa on the hemodynamics parameters and quality of life in perimenopausal women with arterial hypertension.