The effects of verapamil and propranolol on exercise tolerance in hypertensive patients

In a single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study the effects of verapamil (450 +/- 30 mg/day) and propranolol (160 +/- 20 mg/day) on endurance time during submaximal exercise were compared in eight patients with essential hypertension. The drugs were given in randomized order. Each active drug period was preceded by a placebo phase. Endurance tests were performed during both placebo periods and treatment with verapamil and propranolol by bicycle ergometry. Both drugs were equally effective in decreasing resting blood pressure. Verapamil and propranolol reduced exercise heart rate, the effect of propranolol being more pronounced. With placebo, endurance time during exercise was 57 +/- 11 minutes; with propranolol it was 32 +/- 7 minutes (P less than 0.05). Verapamil had no influence on endurance time. The study demonstrates that in contrast to propranolol, verapamil has no influence on exercise tolerance during submaximal work in patients with hypertension.