CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

Calcium channel blockers help relax the heart muscle and blood vessels.

Generic (and Brand) names

All medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a specific patient group or condition. Consult your doctor for which medications are appropriate for you.

• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Diltia, Tiazac, Taztia)
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Isradipine (DynaCirc)
• Nicardipine (Cardene)
• Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
• Verapamil (Calan, Covoera, Isoptin, Verelan)

What they’re used for

• To treat high blood pressure
• To treat angina (chest pain) which can result from atherosclerosis (blocked blood vessels) and coronary artery disease (CAD)
• To treat some arrhytmias (abnormal heartbeats or heart rhythms) usually fast arrhythmias

How they work

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering parts of the cells in blood vessels. When calcium is blocked from entering these cells, it relaxes the blood vessels and the heart.

As a result, calcium channel blockers:

• Decrease the work of the heart by allowing more blood and oxygen to flow to the heart muscle
• Lower the heart rate
• Lower blood pressure