The effect of nifedipine on plasma lipids given over a period of one month to 14 patients with essential hypertension was studied. There were no significant changes in the concentrations of plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides during treatment. Nifedipine appears to be preferable to diuretic agents and to beta-blockers without ISA as nifedipine has no untoward effects on lipid metabolism.