Diltiazem inhibits the spontaneous platelet aggregation in essential hypertension.

Plasma beta-thromboglobulin, initial (spontaneous) and total platelet aggregation, induced by adrenaline or ADP, were determined in 15 patients with essential hypertension before and after 1 week of diltiazem therapy. Diltiazem significantly decreased the spontaneous platelet aggregation in a therapeutic dose of 3 x 60 mg/day. This antiaggregatory effect is the further advantage of the antihypertensive therapy with diltiazem that may be of importance for the inhibition of atherosclerotic and thrombotic complications in essential hypertension.