Calcium channel blocker medicines prevent calcium from entering muscle cells and blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels relax, slowing the heart rate and increasing blood flow to the heart muscle while reducing blood pressure.
Calcium channel blockers are used to treat heart conditions, including high blood pressure, chest pain caused by coronary artery disease, heart failure, and fast or irregular heart rhythms. They are also used to treat severe headaches.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise