 |
Encyclopediacalcium-channel blockercalcium-channel blocker, any of a class of drugs used in treating hypertension, angina pectoris, and certain arrhythmias. They prevent the calcium ions needed for muscle contraction from entering the cells of smooth and cardiac muscle. This causes blood vessel walls to relax and blood to flow more freely to the heart, lowering blood pressure and relieving anginal pain. Some calcium-channel blockers, such as Procardia (nifedipine), slow the electrical impulses that run through heart muscle, thus regulating arrhythmias. Cardizem (diltiazem) is a common calcium-channel blocker. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. More on calcium-channel blocker from Infoplease:
- calcium blocker: meaning and definitions - calcium blocker: Definition and Pronunciation
- hypertension - hypertension hypertension or high blood pressure,elevated blood pressure resulting from an increase ...
- coronary artery disease - coronary artery disease coronary artery disease, condition that results when the coronary arteries ...
- angina pectoris - angina pectoris angina pectoris , condition characterized by chest pain that occurs when the ...
- blood pressure - blood pressure blood pressure, force exerted by the blood upon the walls of the arteries. The ...
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Pharmacology
|
24 X 7
Private Tutor
|
24 x 7 Tutor Availability |
|
|
Unlimited Online Tutoring |
|
|
1-on-1 Tutoring |
|
