title: Calcium channel blockers as antihypertensive agents.
abstract: Because of their unique action on the cardiovascular system, the calcium channel blockers have generated a great deal of excitement among pharmacologists, physiologists, and clinicians. One obvious potential application for these drugs is in antihypertensive therapy and, although experience with these agents for this indication is limited in the United States, it is considerable in Europe and Japan. These agents' ultimate role in antihypertensive therapy, however, has not been established. Since the available calcium channel blockers are structurally diverse, it is uncertain whether they will have comparable effects in hypertension. The rationale for the use of calcium channel blockers in treating hypertension and the relevant pharmacologic actions of these agents is discussed, along with a summary of some of the clinical trials, observations from our own experience with these drugs, and speculation about their future role in antihypertensive therapy.
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007473:Ion Channels; D014700:Verapamil; D004110:Diltiazem; D009543:Nifedipine