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In most hypertension treatment trials, the focus has been on younger patients; even studies in which the cohort is reported as “elderly” have included patients as young as 60. In the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET; funded by a manufacturer of the study drugs), 3845 generally healthy subjects older than 80 (mean age, 84) with hypertension (mean blood pressure, 171/91 mm Hg) were randomized to the diuretic indapamide (Lozol and generics) or to placebo for 2 years; the angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitor perindopril (Aceon) or a matching placebo could be added, if needed to achieve target BPs (JW Apr 17 2008).
In the indapamide group, systolic BP was lowered by a mean 15 mm Hg, and diastolic BP was lowered by 6 mm Hg. Fatal a…