Angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibition as a means of controlling blood pressure began in the 1970s. This increasing knowledge of ACE inhibitors has resulted in their being used with confidence in a antihyertensive therapy, combining high efficacy with very low levels of side effects.

In this study, the antihyertensive effect of ramipril was assessed in 28 patients(9 males and 19 females with mean age of 52 years)with mild-to-moderate hypertension. After a placebo run-in phase, patients received ramipril as monotherapy in a dose 2.5 to 5 mg daily for 6 weeks.

1) At the end of 6 weeks, ramipril induced clinically significant reduction in supine(30.1mmHg in systole, 17mmHg in diastole) and sitting(33.4mmHg in systole, 18.5mmHg in diatole)blood pressure. 2) The heart rate was similar after 6 weeks. 3) The most frequent side effect was dry cough in 6 patients(5.6%) followed by dizziness.

This study indicate that ramipril is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension.