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Home » Blog » Articles » Calcium channel blockers-by Dr Harold Gunatillake
ArticlesDr Harold Gunatillake

Calcium channel blockers-by Dr Harold Gunatillake

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Last updated: July 2, 2023 6:29 am
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Calcium channel blockers-by Dr Harold Gunatillake

Dr Harold Gunatillake

Website: www.Doctorharold.com

Transcript: Do you know what calcium channel blockers are?

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Most of you may be on a calcium channel blocker, prescribed by your family physician, without your knowing, for High Blood Pressure (essential hypertension).

They are also called calcium antagonists, given for the treatment of a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, migraine and Raynaud’s disease (peripheral arterial spasm).

Calcium is required by the heart muscles and other blood vessels for efficient contraction movement. So blocking such a mechanism or inhibiting transport of calcium into cells will lower the blood pressure and widen blood vessels by affecting the muscle cells in the arterial walls, especially those of the coronary arteries.

These calcium antagonists also tends to slow the heart rate which is also beneficial in situations where not only the blood pressure but also the heart rate needs to be slowed down for efficient muscle contractions and prevent premature aging of the muscle cells of the heart.

By such action the blood pressure is lowered chest pain (angina) is relieved and also corrects irregular heart -beat.

Some calcium channel blockers are available in short- acting forms, and others long- acting forms. The quick acting ones act quickly and the effects last only a few hours, while the long-acting medications are slowly released to provide a longer lasting effect.

Examples of calcium channel blocking medication available include:

  • Amlodipine (Norvasc)
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem)
  • Felodipine (Plendil)
  • Isradipine (DynaCirc SR)
  • Nifedipine (Adalat CC)
  • Nisoldipine (Sular)
  • Verapamil ( Calan Verelan

These drugs are normally prescribed in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. These calcium channel blockers are beneficial to prevent or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, including

  • High blood pressure
  • Chest pain due to angina
  • Migraine headaches
  • Brain aneurysm complications
  • Irregular heart beats
  • Circulatory conditions like Raynaud’s disease

Effect on kidneys

Studies suggest that calcium channel blockers do not worsen the progression of renal disease but may rather provide benefit when systemic blood pressure has been tightly normalized.

Side effects of these medications are:

  • Constipation-(beware of verapamil). Increase your fibre content and drink plenty of water)
  • Headache-(due to widening of arteries)
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Rash
  • Drowsiness
  • Flushing- (due to widening and relaxing of arteries)
  • Nausea
  • Swelling of legs and feet (pitting oedema due to water retention).

Serious side effects are rare, and it is not wise to stop calcium-channel blockers without speaking to your doctor.

Most people who take these medications have no side –effects, or only minor ones.

These channel blockers should not be taken with grapefruit as they can reduce your liver’s ability to eliminate calcium channel blockers from your body, allowing the medications to build up in your body.

Rebound effect

Some people who suddenly stop taking a calcium-channel blocker have a ‘rebound’ flare up of angina. Therefore, it is best not to stop taking these drugs without first consulting a doctor.

Check your blood pressure weekly until it is stable. Early high blood pressure has no early signs or symptoms as the body
gets accustomed to the slow rising of the blood pressure. Most heart attacks and stroke are preventable if your blood pressure is taken care of.

Hope this article was useful. Stay safe

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The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and whilst the author will endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, eLanka makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the eLanka website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this article for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In otherwords, eLanka In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website / article. Also please note that through this website / web page articles you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of eLanka and therefore we have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them

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