the invention concerns novel renin - inhibitory peptides which are useful for treating renin - associated hypertension , congestive heart failure , hyperaldosteronism , glaucoma and diseases caused by retroviruses . processes for preparing the peptides novel intermediates in the processes , compositions containing them , and methods of using them are included . also included is a diagnostic method which uses the compounds to determine the presence of renin - associated hypertension , or hyperaldosteronism .