Comparative effects of diltiazem and hydrochlorothiazide in blacks with systemic hypertension

The blood pressure-lowering effects of a calcium-entry blocker, diltiazem (240 or 360 mg/day), and a thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (50 or 100 mg/day), were studied in 20 black hypertensive patients. Supine blood pressure decreases of -34/-18 mm Hg for diltiazem and -29/-21 mm Hg for hydrochlorothiazide were noted after 14 weeks of therapy. Differences between drugs were not significant. Blood pressures were normalized in all 4 of the monotherapy nonresponders when the 2 drugs were combined. Significant adverse effects were not noted. These data suggest that diltiazem is an effective antihypertensive agent in black patients. As monotherapy, its blood pressure-lowering effect is equivalent to hydrochlorothiazide.