A study of the use of captopril in elderly hypertensive patients

Captopril (12.5-25 mg b.d.) was compared with placebo in a double-blind, cross-over study in elderly, hypertensive subjects. Sixteen patients, aged between 65 and 80 years, were studied. The mean baseline blood pressure off treatment was 204.7 +/- 24.5/111.8 +/- 11.1 mmHg. In the 14 patients who completed the study, captopril significantly reduced the systolic and diastolic pressures compared with baseline (P less than 0.001) and compared with placebo (P less than 0.01). The fall in blood pressures was significantly greater at 4 weeks than at 2 weeks (P less than 0.001). No significant change in blood pressure was noted from baseline whilst on placebo. No significant serious side-effects were encountered during the study. We conclude that captopril would appear to be an effective antihypertensive agent which can be safely used in the elderly.