The effect of nifedipine on arterial pressure and reflex cardiac control

Nine patients with untreated, essential hypertension (mean casual blood pressure 173/109 +/- 14/7 mmHg (+/- s.d.] were studied in the control state and then following 16 weeks treatment with nifedipine 10 mg orally 8 hourly. Direct arterial blood pressure was monitored continuously over 24 hours and demonstrated that nifedipine significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure throughout the day and the night. The variability of blood pressure was not altered by nifedipine therapy. There was no significant change in heart rate after nifedipine therapy. At each study the sensitivity and setting of the baroreflex response to intravenous phenylephrine was measured. Following chronic nifedipine therapy there was re-setting of the sino-aortic baroreflex and an increase in its sensitivity.