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[Effects of diltiazem on hemodynamics, plasma catecholamine and renin activity during exercise in hypertension]
K Isojima1, B Takase, K Arakawa
1First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa.
Insights
Diltiazem effectively lowers blood pressure and heart rate during exercise in patients with essential hypertension by reducing catecholamine secretion. This study highlights diltiazem
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Hypertension Research
Abstract:
The effects of diltiazem on hemodynamics, plasma catecholamine and plasma renin activity were studied during treadmill exercise test in 9 cases with moderate essential hypertension. Diltiazem of 120 mg/day was orally administered for 4 weeks. At maximum exercise, significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (-32 mmHg), heart rate (-16/min), pressure-rate product (-7,883 mmHg/min), plasma norepinephrine (-195 ng/L) and plasma epinephrine (-11 ng/L) were observed; while, diastolic blood pressure, ST depression and plasma renin activity showed no significant change. Also, a significant correlation between systolic blood pressure and plasma norepinephrine (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), especially after diltiazem therapy (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), was observed. These findings indicated that diltiazem can reduce the secretion of catecholamine from the sympathetic nerves during exercise in patients with essential hypertension.