Calcium Channel Blockers for Angina

We previously talked about calcium channel blockers for hypertension and also for arrhythmia/tachycardia.

This is used not only for classical atherosclerotic angina but also for vasospasm angina. The calcium channel blockers help reduce the contraction of the smooth muscle surrounding the coronary artery by reducing the amount of calcium from entering. As a result, the coronary arteries dilate. This is the one and only drug that works on the oxygen delivery side of the coronary arteries rather than altering the oxygen demand.

Examples:

• Verapamil (Isoptin, Calan) – p.o.
• Nifedipine (Procardia XL) – p.o.
• Diltiazem (Cardizem) – p.o.