Circulatory changes and arterial plasma hormone concentrations were measured in seven healthy young adults during 30 and 60 degrees passive head-up tilt with the subjects supported by a saddle. The 30 degrees tilt induced a decrease in pulse pressure (Pp) from 45 +/- 2 to 35 +/- 4 (mean +/- SE) mmHg concomitant with an increase in heart rate (HR) from 58 +/- 4 to 78 +/- 8 beats/min and a marginal increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Norepinephrine increased from 180 +/- 20 to 310 +/- 40 pg/ml, aldosterone increased fivefold, and angiotensin II increased from 8 +/- 2 to 22 +/- 7 pg/ml. The 60 degrees tilt initially produced changes, which were qualitatively similar to the 30 degrees tilt. However, after 19 +/- 3 min sudden decreases were seen in MAP (94 +/- 3 to 50 +/- 8 mmHg), in Pp (38 +/- 5 to 18 +/- 4 mmHg), and in HR (90 +/- 7 to 57 +/- 6 beats/min). Concomitantly, epinephrine doubled while norepinephrine remained unchanged; the vagally controlled hormone pancreatic polypeptide increased from 29 +/- 3 to 51 +/- 8 pmol/l, vasopressin from 4 +/- 1 to 126 +/- 58 pg/ml, and angiotensin II from 23 +/- 9 to 35 +/- 12 pg/ml. The hypotensive bradycardiac episode was immediately reversible on termination of the head-up tilt.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)