[ACE inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients].

Recent epidemiological studies clearly indicate that blood pressure rises with age and that hypertension remains a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the elderly. An accurate antihypertensive therapy reduces in these patients the incidence of stroke and heart failure. Because of their clinical efficiency and good therapeutic tolerance, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are first-line drugs for the treatment of elderly hypertensive patients. ACE inhibitions is expected to normalize blood pressure in approximately 40-60% of the patients. When needed, they can be combined with other drugs of different antihypertensive properties. In these cases, the most rational combination therapy consists of an ACE inhibitor with a diuretic or a calcium antagonist.