Final answer:
Calcium channel blockers like Diltiazem and Verapamil inhibit calcium ions from entering cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells by targeting voltage-gated L-type calcium channels, leading to decreased contractility and dilated blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and reduces the heart's workload, making them effective for treating hypertension and certain cardiac conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mechanism of Action of Calcium Channel Blockers The mechanism of action (MOA) of calcium channel blockers such as Diltiazem and Verapamil involves the inhibition of calcium ions from entering cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle cells. These medications work by targeting the voltage-gated L-type calcium channels, which are primarily found in the cardiac and smooth muscles. By blocking these channels, Diltiazem and Verapamil reduce the intracellular calcium levels, leading to a decrease in heart muscle contractility and a relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle, resulting in dilated blood vessels and lowered blood pressure.The heart's contraction strength and the degree of vascular smooth muscle constriction are both influenced by the amount of calcium ions that enter these cells. By blocking calcium entry, these calcium antagonists reduce the heart's workload and oxygen demand. This action makes them effective in treating conditions such as hypertension, angina pectoris, and certain types of cardiac dysrhythmias.
Both Diltiazem and Verapamil are classified as nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, which means they particularly affect cardiac cells, distinguishing them from dihydropyridine calcium blockers like Amlodipine, which have more pronounced effects on vascular smooth muscle.The mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers like Diltiazem and Verapamil involves their ability to block calcium ions from entering cardiac muscle cells. These medications specifically inhibit the voltage-gated calcium channels, which play a vital role in the regulation of cardiac muscle contraction. By blocking these channels, Diltiazem and Verapamil reduce the influx of calcium ions into cardiac cells, leading to decreased contractility of the heart.