ACE inhibitors as initial therapy for hypertension.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are being used increasingly as initial therapy in the management of mild to moderate hypertension. As monotherapy, ACE inhibitors are effective in lowering blood pressure in over 50 percent of patients. When a combination of an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic is used, 80 to 95 percent of patients respond. The adverse metabolic effects associated with diuretics and beta blockers do not occur with ACE inhibitors.