This study analyzed the variation in the parameters characterizing the quality of life and well-being of hypertensive patients treated with indapamide. Thirty patients (10 men and 20 women; mean age, 52.5 +/- 2.1 years, SEM) were selected after a three-week observation period during which patients received placebo. They all had essential hypertension, defined as a diastolic blood pressure between 95 and 120 mm Hg. After the three-week placebo treatment period, indapamide was prescribed as single-agent therapy at a dose of one tablet per day (2.5 mg) for three months. The quality of life and the feeling of well-being of the treated subjects were analyzed on the basis of two self-assessment scales completed by patients and on the responses to a clinical observation scale completed during the consultation by the doctor. The decrease in blood pressure was significant (p less than 0.01) by the first month of treatment and the blood pressure was controlled (diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg) in 79.3 percent of patients by the third month. Statistical analysis of the modifications in the different scores demonstrated a significant improvement between the start and the end of the indapamide treatment period for the three types of scales (p less than 0.01). Analysis of the results also confirmed the homogeneous and significant concordance between the improvement in the responses to the doctor and patient scales. These results on the improvement in quality of life and well-being observed with indapamide demonstrate the importance of taking these aspects into consideration in the drug treatment for permanent essential hypertension.