ONCE DAILY INDAPAMIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF THE ELDERLY AND YOUNG HYPERTENSIVE

Nine elderly and 11 young hypertensives underwent continuous ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure (BP), assessment of cardiovascular reflexes and M-mode echocardiography as hospital in-patients prior to treatment with once-daily indapamide (2.5 mg). They were followed as out-patients for 4 mo. during which time casual BP was measured at monthly intervals. The patients were then readmitted to hospital and studied using the same protocol under similar standardized conditions. Indapamide reduced casual and ambulatory BP in both young and elderly, although the most marked effect was seen on systolic BP. Assessment of cardiovascular reflexes indicates that at least part of the hypotensive action of indapamide is due to a diuretic effect. Treatment with indapamide has comparable results on both young and elderly.