Calcium antagonists, also called calcium channel blockers, treat conditions such as high blood pressure.
Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls. This results in lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, relax and widen blood vessels by affecting the muscle cells in the arterial walls.
Some of the medications in this class have the added benefit of slowing your heart rate, which can further lower blood pressure.
Uses for calcium channel blockers
Doctors prescribe calcium channel blockers to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain (angina)
- Migraines
- Brain aneurysm complications
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
- Raynaud's disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
Last Updated: 12/22/2006
