the invention concerns novel renin - inhibitory compounds which are useful for treating renin - associated hypertension , congestive heart failure , hyperaldosteronism , glaucoma , and diseases caused by retroviruses including htlv - i , - ii , and - iii . processes for preparing the compounds , novel intermediates useful in the preparation thereof , 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 , congestive heart failure , or hyperaldosteronism .