Calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers are a class of medications that inhibit the influx of calcium ions through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells. By blocking these channels, they reduce vascular smooth muscle contraction, leading to vasodilation, and decrease cardiac contractility and conduction velocity in non-dihydropyridine types. This dual action makes them effective for managing conditions involving excessive vascular tone or abnormal heart rhythms. They are categorized into dihydropyridines, which primarily affect peripheral blood vessels to lower blood pressure, and non-dihydropyridines like verapamil and diltiazem, which also slow heart rate by acting on the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes. Common examples include amlodipine, nifedipine, and felodipine. While primarily prescription drugs, their mechanism influences cardiovascular function broadly. General health applications focus on cardiovascular regulation, including blood pressure control and rhythm stabilization, though their use extends off-label to migraine prevention and vasospastic disorders.