[Nifedipine and isometric exercise. Evaluation of the pressure response in hypertensive patients]

Because of isometric efforts are a normal component of the usual life, we studied 35 patients suffering from mild and moderate essential hypertension, by means of an isometric exercise test, using the "handgrip method". The purpose of the experimental work was the evaluation of pressure changes at the top of an isometric stress in basal conditions and the demonstration of the protective effect against pressure increase of nifedipine, acutely administered (20 mg sublingual). The results largely confirmed the usefulness of nifedipine in the treatment of hypertension at rest and at the top of an isometric exercise. Moreover, the pressure increase during the same effort after nifedipine administration is smaller than during a therapy with others antihypertensive drugs.