<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 99

                HYPERTENSION DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
                2915 WATERS ROAD, SUITE 108
                EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121


                                 FOR RELEASE ON: FEBRUARY 16, 1999

                                    Contact:      Mr. James S. Murphy
                                                  Chief Financial Officer
                                                  Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc.
                                                  651-687-9999


     HYPERTENSION DIAGNOSTICS ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER FY 1999 RESULTS 
     ST. PAUL, MN - February 16, 1999 - Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq 
     SmallCap: HDII; HDIIW; HDIIU;), today announced financial results for the 
     second quarter ended December 31, 1998.

     The Company reported initial sales revenue of $95,498 relating to its 
     CR-2000 Research CardioVascular Profiling Instrument in the second quarter
     fiscal year 1999. The Company also reported a net loss for the second 
     quarter of fiscal year 1999 of $(541,234) or $(.11) per share as compared
     with a net loss of $(240,382) or $(.12) per share for the same period in 
     fiscal year 1998. Net loss for the six months ended December 31, 1998 was 
     $(1,022,239) or $(.21) per share compared to a net loss of $(491,847) or 
     $(.25) per share for the six months ended December 31, 1997. As of 
     December 31, 1998, the Company has cash and cash equivalents of $8,967,242,
     and currently anticipates that this amount should satisfy its cash 
     requirements for at least the next 24 months.

     "We are pleased with our second quarter results and with customer
     acceptance of the HDI/PULSEWAVE-TM- CR-2000 Research CardioVascular
     Profiling Instrument technology," said Greg H. Guettler, President.

     "FDA clearance on our DO-2020 product is our next Company milestone," said
     Guettler. "Although our initial goal was to obtain FDA 510(k) clearance 
     in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, it is not likely that we will 
     achieve it. We are working diligently with the FDA to obtain 510(k) 
     clearance in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000."

                                     -MORE-
<PAGE>

     PAGE 2, HYPERTENSION DIAGNOSTICS, INC. 
     FEBRUARY 16, 1999



     Hypertension Diagnostics has developed proprietary cardiovascular 
     profiling technology that analyzes non-invasively derived arterial 
     pulse pressure waveform data as a means of providing parameters that
     are useful in assessing the cardiovascular system. The Company has
     designed two models of the HDI/PULSEWAVE-TM- CardioVascular Profiling
     Instrument: (1) the CR-2000 which is currently in use by physician
     scientists for research purposes only; and (2) the DO-2020 which is
     intended to assist physicians in screening and diagnosing patients with
     cardiovascular disease. The Company has not yet received permission to
     market the DO-2020 from the Food and Drug Administration.

     Forward-looking statements in this press release are made under the safe 
     harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
     The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undo reliance on any 
     forward-looking statements and to recognize that the statements are not 
     predictions of actual future results. Actual results could differ
     materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to
     the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's 1998 Annual Report
     on Form 10-KSB under the caption "Risk Factors," as well as others not now
     anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the
     Company's ability to receive regulatory approval for its Model DO-2020
     product; the availability of third-party reimbursements; market acceptance
     of the Company's products; timely development of the central data
     management facility; the ability of third parties to manufacture the
     Company's products on a commercial scale and in compliance with regulatory
     requirements; the availability of integral components for the Company's
     products; the Company's ability to develop distribution channels; increased
     competition; changes in government regulation; health care reform; exposure
     to potential product liability; and the Company's ability to protect its
     proprietary technology.

                                     -MORE-

<PAGE>

     PAGE 3, HYPERTENSION DIAGNOSTICS, INC. 
     FEBRUARY 16, 1999

                         HYPERTENSION DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                                   (UNAUDITED)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        Three Months Ended                      Six Months Ended
                                                            December 31                            December 31
                                                        --------------------                   -------------------
                                                          1998        1997                       1998       1997
                                                        --------    --------                   --------   --------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>                   <C>              <C>      
Revenue:
    Equipment sales                              $      95,498     $        --           $     95,498     $      --


Cost and Expenses:
    Cost of equipment sales                             29,092              --                 29,092            --
    Research and development                           195,708          54,441                364,751       191,283
    Selling, general and administrative                533,032         197,440                937,594       326,902
                                                 --------------    ------------          -------------   ------------
             Total Cost and Expenses                   757,832         251,881              1,331,437       518,185
                                                 --------------    ------------          -------------   ------------
Operating Loss                                        (662,334)       (251,881)            (1,235,939)     (518,185)

Interest Income                                        121,100          11,499                213,700        26,338
                                                 --------------    ------------          -------------   ------------

      Net Loss and Deficit Accumulated
         During the Development Stage            $    (541,234)    $  (240,382)          $ (1,022,239)   $ (491,847)
                                                 --------------    ------------          -------------   ------------
                                                 --------------    ------------          -------------   ------------

    Basic and Dilutive Net Loss per Share        $        (.11)    $      (.12)          $       (.21)   $     (.25)
    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding              5,105,857       2,008,928              4,836,655     1,963,575
</TABLE>



BALANCE SHEET DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1998                               JUNE 30, 1998
                                                                 -----------------                               -------------
<S>                                                                <C>                                           <C>        
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $   8,967,242                                 $ 1,239,804

Total assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          9,739,745                                   1,605,507

Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            148,113                                     188,100

Total debt, less current portion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 --                                          --

Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         (4,298,488)                                 (3,276,249)

Total shareholders' equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          9,591,632                                   1,417,407
</TABLE>

-----------------------------

Hypertension Diagnostics and HDI/PULSEWAVE are trademarks of Hypertension
Diagnostics, Inc.

                                      # # #