Effectiveness Of Integrated Ayurveda And Allopathybased Lifestyle Interventions In The Management Of Hypertension Among Adults: A Public Health Perspective

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the most important preventable contributors to cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease and premature mortality. The public health challenge is more serious in adult populations because hypertension is frequently asymptomatic, influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors and often detected late. A combined approach that integrates allopathy-based lifestyle counselling with Ayurveda-based daily regimen, diet, yoga, pranayama and stress-reduction practices may improve adherence by connecting biomedical risk reduction with culturally familiar health practices. The present study assessed the effectiveness of an integrated Ayurveda and allopathy-based lifestyle intervention for the management of hypertension among adults from a public health perspective. A quantitative pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was used. The study included 120 adults aged 30-65 years with diagnosed or newly detected hypertension. The intervention included allopathy-based counselling on salt restriction, DASH-like dietary practices, physical activity and weight management along with Ayurveda based recommendations on Dinacharya, Ahara, Vihara, yoga, pranayama, meditation, stress management and sleep hygiene. The mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 152.4 mmHg to 139.2 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure decreased from 94.8 mmHg to 86.7 mmHg after the intervention. Lifestyle practice score, dietary practice score, physical activity status and stress score showed improvement.