What it means
A class of drugs used for hypertensionhy-per-TEN-shunBlood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.hyper- above, more than normaltension pressureFull entry , angina and some fast heart rhythms. By blocking calcium entry, they relax and widen arteries, and some also slow the heart rate and the electrical signal through the AV nodeay-VEE nohdAtrioventricular node: a small group of cells between the upper and lower chambers of the heart that passes on the heartbeat signal.atri/o atriumventricul/o ventricle-ar relating toFull entry . Amlodipine and nifedipine act mainly on blood vessels; diltiazem and verapamil also slow the heart.
For the nurse
Check blood pressure and pulse before each dose, and hold and report if they are below the ordered limits. Common side effects are dizziness, headache, flushing, ankle swelling and, with verapamil, constipation. Some, such as nifedipine and felodipine, interact with grapefruit juice.
At a glance
| Drug class | calcium channel blocker |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Norvasc (amlodipine); Cardizem (diltiazem); Calan (verapamil) |
| Abbreviations | CCB |
| Spanish | bloqueador de los canales de calcio |
| Also written | CCB, calcium channel blockers, calcium channel blocking agent |
Related terms
hypertension
Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.
calcium
A mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.
AV node
Atrioventricular node: a small group of cells between the upper and lower chambers of the heart that passes on the heartbeat signal.
supraventricular tachycardia
A fast, regular heart rhythm that starts above the ventricles, usually 150 to 250 beats a minute.