Elderly Patients and blood pressure matched younger patients with hypertension were studied. The Plasma renin activity

intracellular ions

hemodynamic parameters and antihyperte-nsive effectiveness were compared in these two groups. A more decreased cardiac output (co)

cardiac index(cl)

rapid filling volume(RFV)and vascular compliaace(C)were found in the elderly group. However total pripheral resistance (TPR) and leucocyte Ca concentration were prominantly increased in the elderly hypertensives. Elevated intracellular Ca con-centration may be the molecular bases of the increasing arterial rigidity and decreasing arterial compliance. After therapy with Nifedipine

hemodynamic improvement in control group was significantly better than the hypertensives in elderly