In an open trial, the antihypertensive efficacy of felodipine and its effects on lipid metabolism were investigated in 117 Nordic patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. In the intent-to-treat analysis (n = 106) a significant (p < 0.01) drop in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values was observed between baseline and 24 weeks' treatment from 157/100 mmHg to 145/92 (supine) and from 155/103 to 145/96 mmHg (erect). No relevant differences were seen in the pulse rate. Median total cholesterol and triglycerides remained unchanged, whereas HDL-cholesterol increased significantly from 1.30 mmol/l to 1.33 mmol/l (p < 0.02); LDL- and VLDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B remained unchanged during the 24-week treatment period. In the per protocol analysis (n = 76), blood pressure values changed significantly from 158/100 mmHg to 144/91 mmHg (supine) and from 157/104 mmHg to 143/95 mmHg (erect) (p < 0.01 for both). HDL-cholesterol increased significantly (p = 0.03), whereas LDL- and VLDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as the apolipoproteins, remained unchanged during the trial. Felodipine thus proved to possess positive effects on lipid parameters in hypertensive patients.