The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure profile with verapamil

The blood pressure response in hypertensive subjects to chronic treatment with verapamil, a calcium antagonist (or, more precisely, a slow-channel inhibitor), was studied using the Oxford system for continuous monitoring of intraarterial blood pressure. Sixteen patients underwent continuous monitoring over a 48-hour period before and after at least 6 weeks of therapy (dose range 120-160 mg three times daily). Each monitoring period included physiologic tests designed to show the effects of different types of exercise. Verapamil produces a consistent reduction of blood pressure over 24 hours, but particularly during the day. Heart rate was similarly reduced. There was no evidence of postural hypotension, and the absolute responses to dynamic and isometric exercise were reduced. The degree of reduction of the blood pressure was consistent, suggesting that slow-channel inhibitors may be appropriate for antihypertensive therapy.