Efficacy of Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Hypertension in High-Altitude Immigrant Populations

Efficacy of Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Hypertension in High-Altitude Immigrant Populations

This study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled clinical trial. The study participants are adult patients with hypertension who have been long-term residents (for >6 months) in high-altitude regions (≥2500 m). They are randomly assigned to one of two groups: a conventional medication group and a remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) intervention group. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized 30-day RIC intervention, as an add-on to conventional antihypertensive medication, for reducing blood pressure in hypertensive immigrants living at high altitude.

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 18-60 years, of either sex; Continuous residence in a high-altitude region (>2500 m) for more than 6 months, with no plan for long-term departure from the plateau during the study period; Meeting the diagnostic criteria for essential hypertension; Willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Evidence of secondary hypertension; Severe dysfunction of vital organs (e.g., heart, liver, kidney, lungs); Active malignancy, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, active autoimmune disease, or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus; Office blood pressure ≥180/110 mmHg, or 24-hour average blood pressure ≥170/100 mmHg; Hospitalization for hypertensive crisis or emergency at least once within the past 3 months; History of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event within the past 3 months; Pregnancy, planned pregnancy, or lactation for female participants; Contraindications to RIC (e.g., severe peripheral arterial disease, venous thrombosis, or soft tissue injury in the upper limbs); Any other condition deemed by the investigator to be unsuitable for participation in the study.