Hypertensive men aged 42 (n = 35) were compared to normotensive men of similar age (n = 44). Platelet numbers were similar in the two groups, but hypertensive men had larger venous platelets than the normotensive (7.46 versus 7.12 femtoliter, p = 0.01). Plasma concentration of beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), a marker of platelet release reaction, was increased in arterial blood in hypertension (40 versus 21 micrograms/l, p = 0.02). The normotensive subjects had markedly higher BTG concentration in venous compared to arterial blood (p less than 0.01), but this arterio-venous difference was not present in the hypertensive group. Twelve normotensive subjects received infused saline, which did not induce changes in platelet variables. Adrenaline was infused to 13 hypertensive and 12 normotensive subjects, with dose gradually increasing to 0.04 microgram/kg/min. Platelet count increased in both groups, but significantly more in the hypertensive group. Platelet volume and BTG both increased markedly in the hypertensive group, but not in the normotensive men. Thus, young men with hypertension have increased platelet activity and increased sensitivity to exogenous adrenaline.