Antihypertensive, haemodynamic and metabolic effects of nifedipine slow-release tablets in elderly patients

In a double-blind, cross-over study for 8 weeks, including 10 non-hospitalized elderly hypertensives (average age 73.2 years), WHO stage I-II, the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine slow-release tablets, 20 mg twice daily, was compared with placebo. Nifedipine reduced supine and standing blood pressure values significantly, and no signs of orthostatic hypotension were noted. An initial increment in heart rate was found after 1 week with a subsequent fall towards control values after 8 weeks of nifedipine administration. Heart rate pressure product in the supine position was reduced, and this reduction became statistically significant at the 8th week. Cardiac output measured non-invasively in 8 patients after 6-8 weeks' nifedipine therapy, using an Irex echocardiograph, was on an average 34% higher than in the placebo period (p less than 0.05). Serum electrolytes, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and renal function were not affected by the drug. Side-effects were few and mild. It is concluded that nifedipine is a potent antihypertensive agent which may represent an attractive first choice alternative in the treatment of elderly hypertensive patients.