The effects of the calcium antagonist nicardipine on the pressor response to mental arithmetic, cold pressor and exercise tests have been studied in fifteen patients with established mild to moderate essential hypertension. Nicardipine 20 mg p.o. showed a hypotensive effect within 60 min, associated with a fall in total peripheral resistance and an increase in heart rate. As the pressor response to each stress was not affected by nicardipine, the peak blood pressure reached during each stress was lower. Nicardipine lowers blood pressure at rest as a result of arteriolar dilatation, associated with reflex tachycardia. The pressor responsiveness to various stresses was not affected by nicardipine.