Cardiovascular effects of diltiazem in healthy volunteers at rest, supine and erect, and during physical and mental stress.

The hemodynamic effects of diltiazem were investigated in six volunteers at rest, supine and erect, under psychologic stress and orthostatic conditions. Plasma concentrations were also estimated. Under all conditions diltiazem showed a vasodilating property that was more pronounced on the arterial resistance vessels than on the pulmonary vessels. The first plasma concentrations were detected 15 min after drug intake, and the highest values were seen at the end of the study in the 3rd h.