Effects of diltiazem on serum lipids, exercise performance and blood pressure: randomized, double-blind,...

Treatment of hypertension with diuretics, beta blockers and alpha blockers may be associated with adverse effects on exercise performance, serum lipids and blood chemistries, as well as with orthostatic effects and fluid retention. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a sustained-release preparation of diltiazem as sole therapy for moderate essential hypertension was conducted. Diltiazem was administered 2 times a day (360 mg/day) to 16 patients and placebo to 14 patients in a 12-week study. Average supine blood pressure with diltiazem therapy fell from 161/100 to 144/87 mm Hg without fluid retention or orthostatic effects. In an open-label study, patients from the placebo and diltiazem groups continued with diltiazem therapy. At an average of over 8 months, supine blood pressure on diltiazem was 147/88 mm Hg, and after withdrawal to single-blind placebo, average supine blood pressure increased to 173/104 mm Hg. All changes were significant compared with baseline and placebo (p less than 0.01). On diltiazem therapy, maximal treadmill exercise was increased by an average of 55 seconds (p less than 0.01), whereas heart rate, blood pressure and double product (heart rate X blood pressure) were reduced at submaximal exercise, and heart rate and double product were reduced at maximal exercise. No changes in serum glucose, potassium or uric acid were found. No adverse effects on serum lipids occurred. Diltiazem treatment was associated with an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (52 to 60 mg/dl, p less than 0.006) and a decrease in total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (4.7 to 4.2, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)