ACE and Hypertension: The patients were classified into three groups: Group 1—hypertensive patients (n = 143) who received ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, and trandolapril) or ARBs (losartan, valsartan and irbesartan); Group 2—hypertensive patients (n = 91) treated with β-adrenergic antagonists, calcium channel antagonists, diuretics, α-adrenergic antagonists, and vasodilators; Group 3—patients (n = 50) with chronic hepatitis C infection who did not have hypertension.