According to the Cleveland Clinic, 75 million people in the United States report problems with elevated blood pressure. The Framingham Study, conducted from 1948 to 2005 and sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute, demonstrated the relationship of high blood pressure to heart disease and stroke. Individuals with untreated high blood pressure in this longitudinal study of more than 30 years developed heart attacks and strokes.
Blood Pressure Medication
According to "Current Diagnosis and Treatment Cardiology," the calcium channel blockers category of anti-hypertensive or blood pressure medications represents one out of about 12 classes of medications for blood pressure treatment. Each classification lowers blood pressure medication by different mechanisms in the body. According to the textbook, "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology," some lower blood pressure by excreting fluid. Other blood pressure medications act on the heart by decreasing the heart contraction. Still other categories lower blood pressure by dilating the small arteries and veins in the body.
Calcium Channel Blockers
"Hurst's The Heart" describes the salient features that produce the effect of the calcium channel blockers on the body to lower blood pressure. The muscles in the arteries in the human body undergo relaxation and dilation when exposed to calcium channel blockers via calcium channels in the nervous system. The calcium channel blockers also cause the heart muscle to decrease the contraction of the heart and rhythm conduction system.
Common Calcium Channel Blocking Medication
The calcium channel blocker class of medication includes several oral prescription drugs. Diltiazem or Cardizem and verapamil or Calan describe common calcium channel blocker medications. Amlodipine or Norvasc represents the newest medicine in the calcium channel blocker class of anti-hypertensive medications.
Side Effects of Calcium Channel Blockers
Headache occurs as a side effect in some individuals using calcium channel blockers due to the relaxation and opening of the blood vessels to the brain. Edema or puffiness in the extremities occurs as a common side effect in some individuals. Less frequently, hypertensive patients report fatigue and dizziness from calcium channel blockers. A severe side effect emerging as a rash but proceeding to sloughing of the skin like a burn is called Steven-Johnson's Syndrome. Since rash can progress to a severe condition, any individual on calcium channel blockers should consider contacting their health care provider if a rash appears. Early intervention of this life-threatening complication of Steven-Johnson's Syndrome can save an individual's life.
Interaction with Other Substances
"Davis' Drug Guide for Nurses" reports the potential for extremely low blood pressure in individuals on calcium channel blockers along with other anti-hypertensive medication and/or ingestion of alcohol or grapefruit juice. Toxicity may occur with cyclosporine, quinidine or carbamazepine when given with calcium channel blockers. Reading the drug information supplied with medications can help prevent adverse interactions.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Hypertension
- National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute: The Framingham Heart Study
- "Current Diagnosis and Treatment Cardiology"; Michael Crawford, M.D.; 2009
- "Hurst's The Heart"; Systemic Arterial Hypertension; Fuster, V. et al.; 2008
- "Davis' Drug Guide for Nurses"; Judith Deglin, et al.; 2010
- "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology";Vasoactive Peptides; B. G. Katzung, MD, S. B. Masters, PhD, & A. J. Trevor, PhD
