Calcium antagonists, particularly those derived from the dihydropyridine class, have shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. This review will concentrate on the use of one of the newer compounds in this category, isradipine, in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Isradipine is a calcium antagonist with marked vascular selectivity and, in practical terms, is devoid of cardiac effects. Its usefulness in hypertension is well documented, both when used as single drug treatment and in combination with other agents, particularly beta-blockers. Isradipine is well tolerated, does not cause metabolic disturbances and, apart from the typical dihydropyridine-type vascular adverse effects, e.g. flushing and ankle oedema, it does not cause any specific side effect. Some results obtained with isradipine in animal studies, e.g. the antiatherosclerotic effect and the brain tissue preserving effect seen in experimental stroke, appear to hold great promise for future important clinical applications for isradipine.