Calcium-channel blockers and the elderly.
Calcium-channel blockers may well be the drugs of choice for treating angina, hypertension, and supraventricular arrhythmia in the elderly. They are effective, have no serious side effects, and when wisely matched to the patient, are very well tolerated. Most calcium-channel blockers can be administered once or twice daily. A choice of four is available; only verapamil and diltiazem hydrochloride are useful for supraventricular arrhythmia. All four, however, are effective for the treatment of hypertension and angina. Expanding uses of calcium-channel blockers include peripheral vascular disease and migraine. There may be a theoretical advantage in humans from the point of view of the anti-atherosclerosis demonstrated in animals.
Ryan
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C
San Francisco Heart Institute, Seton Medical Center, Daly City, CA 94015.
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers