Lowering blood pressure in the aged: a 40-month experience.

In the author's experience once a day treatment of the hypertensive aged is feasible. A group of 71 cases with an average BP of 170/95 mm Hg or greater and an average age of 72 years were treated with DH ergocristine-clopamide-reserpine compound or methyldopa. The asymptomatic nature of hypertension and a realization of long-term medication accounted for the withdrawal of 18 cases (25.3%) in the first year. At the end of a 40-month period, 47 cases were still under treatment. The BP had been reduced to normal in 27 cases (57.4%) and significantly lowered in 8 cases (17%). With the exception of 1 case, all tolerated the therapy well and experienced no side effects.