Drugs (e.g., verapamil or nifedipine) that are used to slow down calcium movement through cell membranes. This leads to dilation of the blood vessels and reduces the heart’s workload. Blood vessels need calcium to contract (causing flow constriction and hence an increase in blood pressure), so the drug-induced shortage of available calcium causes the body’s blood vessels to remain dilated (which results in lower blood pressure).
Research in 1996 indicated the possibility that certain types of calcium channel-blockers might lead to increased rates of some cancers. If so, this is likely due to the drug preventing enough calcium availability for normal apoptosis in body cells.
A class of drugs and natural substances that disrupt the calcium (Ca2+) conduction of calcium channels.
A class of drugs (also known as calcium antagonists) that disrupt the flow of calcium (Ca2+) through calcium channels. These drugs are of value in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. In psychiatry, they have been found effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder that has been refractory to lithium carbonate or anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy.
Drugs that prevent arterial spasms are used in the long-term management of angina pectoris.
Drugs used to increase the pumping action of the heart.
A drug that blocks the entry of calcium into the smooth muscles of arteries and arterioles, thereby preventing their constriction and causing them to dilate, lowering blood pressure. Some of these drugs also depress the rate and pumping force of the heart.
A drug which affects the smooth muscle of the cardiovascular system, used in the treatment of angina and hypertension.
Any of a class of drugs that block the flow of the electrolyte calcium either within the cells’ electrical conduction system or in the contraction of smooth muscle. These agents are used in the treatment of hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and migraine.
A class of drugs used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), chronic angina pectoris (chest pain), and cardiac arrhythmias and to prevent migraine headaches. Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing contractions of the heart and relaxing the smooth muscle found on the blood vessel walls, which reduces resistance to blood flow.
Calcium-channel blockers inhibit the inward flow of calcium through the specialized, slow channels of cardiac and arterial smooth-muscle cells. The result is that the muscle relaxes. These drugs are used in treating conditions such as hypertension and angina pectoris. Various types of calcium-channel blockers are available and are particularly useful when beta blockers are contraindicated, for example in asthmatics. Important differences exist between different calcium-channel blockers so their use must be carefully assessed.
Any of a group of drugs that slow the influx of calcium ions into smooth muscle cells, resulting in decreased arterial resistance and oxygen demand. Calcium channel blockers are used to treat angina, hypertension, vascular spasm, intracranial bleeding, congestive heart failure, and supraventricular tachycardia. Because hypotension occurs as both an intended and occasionally an unwelcome effect, blood pressure must be monitored especially closely during the initial treatment period.
Pharmaceutical agents that impede the transportation of calcium ions into muscular cells, leading to the prevention of muscle constriction, comprise a category of medications. These drugs exhibit efficacy in the management of cardiovascular ailments that are characterized by coronary spasms.
A pharmaceutical medication, which exerts its influence on the cardiovascular system, facilitates the reduction of blood pressure by modulating the electrical conductance associated with calcium within the cardiac muscle.
Medications employed in the management of angina pectoris, a condition characterized by chest pain resulting from inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle, hypertension (high blood pressure), and specific forms of cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Calcium channel blockers function by impeding the movement of calcium through the membranes of muscle cells present in both blood vessels and the cardiac muscle. This mechanism diminishes the workload of the heart during the blood-pumping process, lowers the pressure of blood circulation throughout the body, and enhances blood flow within the heart muscle, thus improving overall cardiac circulation.
These medications additionally decelerate the transmission of nerve signals through the heart’s internal conduction system, contributing to the correction of specific forms of arrhythmia.
The side effects of calcium channel blockers primarily stem from their ability to enhance blood flow through tissues. These effects may manifest as headaches, swollen ankles, flushing, and dizziness. However, adverse reactions typically subside with ongoing treatment.