[Hypotensive and metabolic effects of small doses of hydrochlorothiazide in the long-term treatment of elderly patients with systolic arterial hypertension].

In a group of elderly patients with systolic hypertension the hypotensive efficacy and adverse effects were studied of hydrochlorothiazide given in daily doses of 25 mg in a year. A fall of systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure was obtained in 86% of these patients. Adverse effects included reduced concentration of potassium and magnesium ions in the serum and lymphocytes, but this reduction was small and appeared mainly in the serum. The used doses of hydrochlorothiazide had no effect on plasma renin activity, and on the serum levels of aldosterone, glucose, uric acid, cholesterol and triglycerides.