[Effect of the calcium antagonist nifedipine on blood pressure and its circadian rhythm in patients with hypertension].

In 74 patients with hypertension with an average age of 60 years on the basis of 8 measuring values the behaviour of blood pressure and frequency was controlled between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. during the administration of the calcium antagonist nifedipine. The average blood pressure decreased from 198/106 to 178/89 mm Hg during the nifedipine treatment. The scope of the decrease of blood pressure was significantly higher in the patients older than 60 years than in the younger patients. At the same time the blood pressure values very much decreased in patients with the higher values. The heart rate increased only in patients of older age under the administration of nifedipine. The circadian rhythm of the blood pressure, in particular the matutinal increase of blood pressure, could not be influenced.