Diuretics belong to the basic group of medicines for the treatment of 
hypertension and heart failure. In the case of hypertension treatment, their 
main indication is higher age and isolated systolic hypertension. In the case of 
heart failure they are used for the treatment of swellings and shortness of 
breath. The most frequently prescribed group of diuretics is thiazides and 
similar products. In patients with renal insufficiency, loop diuretics are 
administered. In the case of hypertension, diuretics are mainly used in the 
combination treatment. The most frequently used diuretic in combination is again 
hydrochlorothiazide, which is combined with reninangiotensin system blockers. It 
is mainly the combination of an ACE inhibitor + indapamide that seems to be 
modern and promising, and it is, on the basis of large clinical trials, 
recommended also for diabetics (ADVANCE) or for secondary prevention following a 
cerebrovascular accident (PROGRESS) or for the elderly (HYVET). Also a 
combination of two diuretics is popular -  mainly hydrochlorothiazide + 
amiloride. A combination of a betablocker and diuretic is less suitable.