Antihypertensive effects at rest and during exercise of a calcium blocker, nifedipine, alone and in combination with metoprolol.

The effects of metoprolol and/or nifedipine on blood pressure were studied in 12 hypertensive males at rest and during standardized exercise on an ergometer bicycle. Metoprolol (100 mg X 2) and nifedipine (10 mg X 3) gave similar blood pressure reductions both at rest and during exercise. When the drugs were combined, the antihypertensive effect was potentiated. The PQ interval was not affected during any treatment period. No adverse reactions to the combined treatment were noted. The combination of a calcium blocker with vasodilating properties with a beta-blocker, which reduces cardiac output, thus seems a logical and promising therapeutic approach in the treatment of hypertension.