Definition of Calcium Channel Blockers

Available only by prescription, calcium channel blockers treat high blood pressure, migraines and Raynaud's Disease. Available alone or in combination with other medications, calcium channel blockers or calcium antagonists affect the muscle cells in the arterial walls causing vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.

Types

• Tracking multiple medications sometimes causes confusion to patients.

  Generic calcium channel blockers include amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine and verapamil. Pharmaceutical manufacturers combine this medication with another drug for high cholesterol into one pill, such as Caduet.

Function

• High blood pressure readings are more than 140/90 mmHg.

  According to a research article in "Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy" by Puscas, Gilau et al, calcium channel blockers work by inhibiting a substance, carbonic anhydrase I, within the arterial walls. By doing so, the smooth muscle in the arterial walls relaxes, which causes a gradual lowering of blood pressure.

Features

• Doctors carefully monitor patients' response to medications.

  Calcium channel blockers also lower blood pressure by decreasing the rate of flow and the amount of calcium into the heart.

Prevention/Solution

• Calcium channel blockers may prevent migraines.

  Medical professionals prescribe calcium channel blockers to treat a variety of conditions, including hypertension, chest pain, migraines, brain aneurysm complications, irregular heartbeat, circulatory conditions, and pulmonary hypertension.

Expert Insight

• Calcium channel blockers may help African Americans with hypertension.

  According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors typically do not prescribe calcium channel blockers as their first line of defense against hypertension. Ace inhibitors and diuretics effectively reduce blood pressure; however, many hypertensive African Americans respond better to calcium channel blockers.