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Has the role of calcium channel blockers in treating hypertension finally been defined?

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Abstract

Several large, prospective, randomized, clinical outcome trials have shown that calcium channel blockers are effective and safe antihypertensive drugs compared with placebo and reduce the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of treated patients. In other studies, when compared with conventional antihypertensive drugs, they demonstrated similar blood pressure-lowering effects and similar reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with the exception of a higher incidence of heart failure and fatal myocardial infarction in some studies. However, considering all the evidence available today, these drugs should be considered safe for the treatment of the uncomplicated hypertensive patient in combination with other drugs. They can also be used as first-line therapy for older, strokeprone hypertensive patients. In addition, when a calcium channel blocker is indicated for better blood pressure control, its use should not be withheld for safety concerns.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    George S. Chrysant MD

  2. Oklahoma Cardiovascular and Hypertension Center, The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, 5850 W. Wilshire Boulevard, 73132-4904, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    Steven G. Chrysant MD, PhD

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  1. George S. Chrysant MD
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Chrysant, G.S., Chrysant, S.G. Has the role of calcium channel blockers in treating hypertension finally been defined?. Current Science Inc 5, 295–300 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-003-0037-6

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