ABSTRACT
The response to the use of converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) either alone or associated to hydrochlorothiazide was evaluated during three months in 128 patients over 60 years old, with mild (79.7%) and moderate (20.3%) hypertension. Seventy (55%) were female and 58 (45%) male, being 64.8% white, 33.6% non-white and 1.6% asiatic. All patients received initially either a single dose of 25 mg of captopril or twice 12.5 mg, and after 1 month those in which hypertension was maintained 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide was associated. During this period the analysis of the results showed a significant reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DP), however, there was a marked reduction during the first month. Thus, DP decreased from 101 +/- 8.8 (control) to 93 +/- 8.7 in the first month, to 89.6 +/- 8.2 in the second and 86 +/- 8.2 in the third, all significant at p less than 0.001. Similar distinction with previous treatment were observed when ranges on DP were analysed in patients receiving isolated or associated captopril. There was a small but significant weight and heart rate fall in patients receiving only captopril. Reduction of side effects was observed in 79% of the patients, as compared to previous treatment there being distinct improvement, while 21% showed no alterations and none showed complications. Therefore, we may conclude that use of captopril in elderly hypertensive patients was efficacious in the control of arterial blood without influence on quality of life.
