Effect of treatment on longevity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Continuous control of the pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats at systolic levels of 90-100 mm Hg with antihypertensive agents significantly prolonged their life span. The mean survival time in control animals was 73 weeks as compared to 96 weeks in treated SHR (P less than .0005) with 11% of the latter surviving to approximately 3 yr of age. Cardiovascular lesions were limited almost exclusively to the control rats. The general health, body weight and reproductive functions of the experimental animals remained normal throughout the drug treatment. These results indicate that by preventing the rise in blood pressure and consequent cardiovascular complications the life span of the SHR may be prolonged to that of the normal albino rat.