The SHEP [9] and Syst-Eur [12] studies of the 1990s were the first to show the benefits of reducing the risk of stroke and general cardiovascular events in persons aged 60 and over with isolated systolic HT, using an antihypertensive therapy consisting of a combination of diuretic drugs and beta-blockers in the first case, and a combination of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium antagonists in the second. The gene discussed is ACE; the disease is hematocrit.