By blocking calcium, calcium channel blockers allow blood vessels to relax and open. Conlin PR(1), Williams GH. 2018 Jun 18;9(8):475-493. doi: 10.1177/2042098618780854. Prevention of dementia has been reported in hypertensive patients treated with nitrendipine, opening a way for further studies on CCBs' beneficial effect in cognitive deterioration associated with aging. This led to the denomination calcium channel blockers. This paper summarizes the pharmacological properties of calcium channel blockers (CCBs), their established therapeutic uses for cardiovascular disorders and the current improvement of their clinical effects through drug combinations. eCollection 2017.Vasc Health Risk Manag. In order to reach recommended blood pressure goals, there is a recent therapeutic move by combination of CCBs with other antihypertensive agents particularly with inhibitors acting at the level of the renin-angiotensin system. 2016 Nov 15;12:443-451. doi: 10.2147/VHRM.S91020. Calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, are confirmed as useful in reducing the frequency, duration, severity of attacks, pain and disability associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. eCollection 2018 Aug.Mol Neurobiol. Epub 2015 Apr 22.Front Pharmacol. Calcium channel blockers are widely used, and generally well-tolerated, in the therapy of cardiovascular disease, and are beneficial in the treatment of hypertension, angina and supraventricular tachycardias such as atrial fibrillation. This can cause symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Author information: (1)Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Further experiments showed that they reduced contraction of arteries by inhibiting calcium entry and by interacting with binding sites identified on voltage-dependent calcium channels. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. 2019 Jun;56(6):4192-4202. doi: 10.1007/s12035-018-1370-8. During the past 20 years the number of subclasses of calcium channel Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are drugs that bind to and block the L-type calcium channel. 2019 May;17(5):3399-3402. doi: 10.3892/etm.2019.7376. Name must be less than 100 characters In long-term treatment, the decrease in blood pressure is more pronounced in hypertensive than in normotensive patients. Atypon Non-dihydropyridines have the same indications plus antiarrythmic effects in atrial fibrillation or flutter and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. 2019 Mar 16;32(4):343-349. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpy199.Ther Adv Drug Saf. The sum effect is decreased heart A controversy on the safety of CCBs ended after a large antihypertensive trial (ALLHAT) sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Seravalle G, Koylan N, Nalbantgil I, Caglar N, Quarti-Trevano F, Makel W, Grassi G, Fici F.High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. There are two main types of CCBs: dihydopyridine and non-dihydropyridine; the first type is vascular selective. Short-acting medications work quickly, but their effects last only a few hours. 2017 May 29;8:286. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00286. All rights reserved. Which one is best for you depends on your health and the condition being treated.In some cases, your doctor might prescribe a calcium channel blocker with other high blood pressure medications or with cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins.In addition to high blood pressure, doctors prescribe calcium channel blockers to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:For black people and older people, calcium channel blockers might work better than other blood pressure medications, such as beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.Side effects of calcium channel blockers may include:Avoid grapefruit products while taking certain calcium channel blockers. Use of calcium channel blockers in hypertension. 2015 Jun;22(2):165-72. doi: 10.1007/s40292-015-0091-6. They are also combined with statins. 2019 Mar 11;24(5):987. doi: 10.3390/molecules24050987.Barzilay JI, Lai D, Davis BR, Pressel S, Previn HE, Arnett DK.Am J Hypertens. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. By blocking calcium, calcium channel blockers allow blood vessels to relax and open.Some calcium channel blockers have the added benefit of slowing your heart rate, which can further lower your blood pressure, relieve chest pain (angina) and control an irregular heartbeat.Calcium channel blockers are also called calcium antagonists.Calcium channel blockers are available in short-acting and long-acting forms. By unloading the heart and increasing coronary blood flow, CCBs improve myocardial oxygenation. 2003 Dec;28(8):754-63. doi: 10.1007/s00059-003-2504-x.Exp Ther Med. DynaMed Plus. Epub 2018 Oct 5. 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