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In most of the “hypertension in the elderly” trials conducted in the 1980s and 1990s, the age threshold for enrollment was 60. Thus, the benefit of treating hypertension in very old patients has remained unclear.
The 3845 generally healthy people in the randomized HYVET (Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial) were 80 or older (mean age, 84) with systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg and diastolic BP <110 mm Hg (mean, 173/91 mm Hg); most resided in eastern Europe or China. They received either the nonthiazide diuretic indapamide (Lozol and generics) or placebo, plus the angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitor perindopril if necessary. Target blood pressure was 150/80 mm Hg. The study was supported partly by a manufacturer of both drugs.
At 2 yea…