Question

As their name suggests, calcium ion channel blockers block calcium ion channels in the sarcolemma of pacemaker and contractile cardiac muscle cells and slow calcium ion entry into the cell during an action potential. What effects would these drugs have on the myocardial cells? View Available Hint(s)

Answer 1

Effects of Calcium channel blockers on the myocardial cells include lower excitability of the cells due lower influx of calcium ions during an action potential. This effect helps to regulate abnormal rapid heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

Calcium channel blockers also reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries thereby reducing pressure in the arteries. This in turn also reduces the workload on the heart and therefore allows for adequate oxygen supply to heart in the treatment of Angina.

Examples of calcium ion channel blockers are amlodipine, nimodipine, verapamil, diltiazem etc.