Enlarged heart or cardiomelagy is not a disease but a symptom of a health condition. An enlarged heart is caused by thickening and weakening of the heart's muscle due to health conditions, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, abnormal heart rhythms, chronic anemia and pregnancy, according to the American Heart Association. Calcium channel blockers are antihypertensive drugs that can be used to prevent cardiomelagy.
Calcium Channel Blockers and Enlarged Heart
Calcium channel blockers are antihypertensive drugs used to treat heart conditions that can cause an enlarged heart. These conditions include high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, angina and heart attack. Calcium channel blockers decrease the heart's pumping strength and relax blood vessels. This helps lower high blood pressure and heart rate and prevent weakening of the heart's muscle.
Verapamil
Verapamil or Calan is a calcium channel blocker that can be used to prevent enlarged heart in patients with heart conditions such as high blood pressure, angina and abnormal heart rhythms, according to Drugs.com. Verapamil works by relaxing the muscles of the heart and blood vessels. Common side effects of verapamil include nausea, dizziness, headache, skin rash, itching, constipation and tingly feeling under the skin.
Diltiazem
Diltiazem or Cardizem is a calcium channel blocker used to treat heart conditions that cause the heart to become enlarged. Diltiazem relaxes heart muscles, which helps prevent weakening of the muscles. Diltiazem also relaxes blood vessels so that the heart does not have to pump blood to the body with a high force. Common side effects of diltiazem include slow heart rate, flushing, dizziness, vomiting, headache, constipation, diarrhea and cough.
Nifedipine
Nifedipine, also known as Procardia, is a calcium channel blocker that can also be used to prevent an enlarged heart. Nifedipine is prescribed to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and chest pain. Nifedipine widens blood vessels, which reduces the workload of the heart. Common side effects of nifedipine include dizziness, headache, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, stomach pain, insomnia and leg cramps, according to Drugs.com.
