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The long-awaited final results of the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly (SHEP) trial demonstrate a major reduction in stroke with the treatment of hypertension. This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of antihypertensive therapy in 4736 persons over age 60 with systolic blood pressures from 160 to 219 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressures less than 90 mm Hg.
Patients randomized to active treatment received 12.5 mg of chlorthalidone daily. If the systolic blood pressure was not reduced below 160 mm Hg, or not reduced by 20 mm Hg in those with initial systolic pressures of 160 to 179 mm Hg, this dosage was doubled. Patients whose treatment still did not reach these goals received atenolol or reserpine.
Dur…