Final answer:
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine and felodipine, are used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain from reduced blood supply to the heart (angina), certain heart arrhythmias, and to relieve symptoms of heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are a category of medications that play a crucial role in the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions. These medications include amlodipine, felodipine, nisoldipine, and others. They are commonly used to lower blood pressure, and are also effective in treating chest pain (angina) that results from a reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. Additionally, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers help manage certain arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), specifically by slowing down heartbeats in conditions such as atrial fibrillation.
Furthermore, due to their negative inotropic effect, which decreases the strength of heart muscle contraction, these medications can influence the stroke volume (SV) and are used to relieve symptoms in patients with heart failure, especially those not responding well to ACE inhibitors and diuretics. It is important to note that the choice of a specific calcium channel blocker and its dosing regimen should always be tailored by a healthcare professional to the individual needs of the patient, considering the specific cardiovascular issues they are addressing.