Relationship Between Calcium Channel Antagonists and Nocturnal Hypotension and Autonomic Imbalance in Patients With a Previous Myocardial Infarction

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of calcium channel antagonists on diurnal changes in blood pressure and on autonomic function in 71 patients who were receiving a calcium channel antagonist because they had previously suffered a myocardial infarction. Ambulatory blood pressures and Holter ECGs were recorded simultaneously for 24 h. Autonomic function was assessed by heart rate variability, Nocturnal systolic pressure was ≥ 90 mmHg in 63 patients (group I) and