Alfath Dzea Haqilana, M. Aqil Argyanto, Satriya Pranata

Efektivitas Terapi Rendam Kaki Air Hangat untuk Menurunkan Tekanan Darah pada Penderita Hipertensi

Introduction

Efektivitas terapi rendam kaki air hangat untuk menurunkan tekanan darah pada penderita hipertensi. Pelajari efektivitas terapi rendam kaki air hangat untuk menurunkan tekanan darah pada penderita hipertensi. Terbukti efektif, ekonomis, dan mudah dilakukan di rumah.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension has become a serious global health issue, with the number of sufferers increasing from 650 million in 1990 to 1.4 billion in 2024. In Indonesia, the prevalence reached 34.1% in 2018, with a higher proportion among women at 36.85%. While pharmacological treatments are available, they often face constraints regarding costs and side effects. Hydrotherapy, specifically warm water foot soaks, serves as a safe and accessible non-pharmacological alternative to lower blood pressure naturally. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of warm water foot soak therapy in reducing blood pressure among hypertension patients. Methods: This study utilized a literature review design by accessing national and international journal databases, including Garuda, ProQuest, and PubMed. The search strategy employed keywords such as "hydrotherapy," "warm water foot soak," and "hypertension". Following the PRISMA method, 13 articles published between 2021 and 2025 were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for further analysis.   Results: Analysis of the 13 studies consistently showed that warm water foot soak therapy significantly reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Meta-analysis results indicated an average reduction of 6-7 mmHg in systolic pressure and 5-6 mmHg in diastolic pressure. The physiological effect is triggered by peripheral vasodilation due to heat exposure, which reduces systemic vascular resistance. The most effective protocol involves water temperatures of 38-40°C for a duration of 15-20 minutes. Conclusion: Warm water foot soak therapy is an effective, economical, and simple non-pharmacological intervention that can be performed independently at home to help transition patients from hypertensive states toward normal blood pressure levels.

Review

This literature review addresses a highly relevant public health issue, the global and Indonesian burden of hypertension, and critically examines a promising non-pharmacological intervention. With the increasing prevalence of hypertension and the associated challenges of pharmacological treatments, particularly regarding cost and potential side effects, the exploration of accessible and safe alternatives like hydrotherapy is timely and important. The study's objective to evaluate the effectiveness of warm water foot soak therapy for blood pressure reduction is well-articulated, setting a clear focus for its comprehensive analysis. The methodology employed in this study, a systematic literature review utilizing prominent national and international databases (Garuda, ProQuest, PubMed) and adhering to the PRISMA method, lends significant credibility to its findings. The selection of 13 articles published within a recent timeframe (2021-2025) ensures the synthesis of contemporary evidence. The consistent results across these studies, indicating a significant reduction in both systolic (6-7 mmHg) and diastolic (5-6 mmHg) blood pressure, provide robust support for the efficacy of warm water foot soak therapy. Furthermore, the abstract effectively explains the underlying physiological mechanism—peripheral vasodilation due to heat exposure—and specifies an optimal protocol (38-40°C for 15-20 minutes), which is crucial for practical application. In conclusion, this literature review strongly supports warm water foot soak therapy as an effective, economical, and simple non-pharmacological intervention for hypertension management. Its potential as an independently performed, home-based therapy offers a valuable adjunct or alternative, particularly for individuals seeking to transition towards normal blood pressure levels without solely relying on medication. The findings are highly significant for clinical practice and public health initiatives, suggesting that this accessible intervention could play a vital role in broadening the scope of hypertension care and empowering patients in self-management.

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