Contents:
- Medical Video: Pharmacology - ANTIARRHYTHMIC DRUGS (MADE EASY)
- The role of group IV antiarrhythmics in the management of heart disease
Medical Video: Pharmacology - ANTIARRHYTHMIC DRUGS (MADE EASY)
Medications that prevent or treat cardiac arrhythmias are called antiarrhythmics. Antiarrhythmic drugs are classified according to their use in 5 groups.
Group IV includes calcium channel blockers. Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the heart cells and blood vessel walls, resulting in lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers or also called bad calcium, relaxes and dilates blood vessels by affecting muscle cells in the artery wall.
Calcium channel blockers are prescription drugs that relax blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart and also ease the workload of the heart. Some calcium channel blockers also has advantages such as slowing down the heart rate, which can reduce blood pressure, relieve chest pain (angina) and control an irregular heartbeat. Example from calcium channel blockers includes:
- Amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
- Felodipine
- Isradipine
- Nicardipine (Cardene SR)
- Nifedipine (Procardia)
- Nisoldipine (Sular)
- Verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Covera-HS)
The role of group IV antiarrhythmics in the management of heart disease
Calcium channel blockers can be given for people with high blood pressure (especially in African-American), coronary artery disease, coronary spasms, angina (chest pain), heart rhythm abnormalities, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, diastolic heart failure, Raynaud's syndrome and pulmonary hypertension.
Calcium channel blockers can be used to treat diastolic heart failure. Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart has difficulty filling blood.
Calcium channel blockers slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure by blocking electrical impulses that cause the heart muscle to contract and pump blood. By relaxing muscle tissue in blood vessels, calcium channel blockers can help lower blood pressure and facilitate blood flow in blood vessels.
Calcium channel blockers can help the heart fill with blood because calcium channel blockers slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure. If the heart beats more slowly, more time is available to fill the blood between each beat. Calcium channel blockers can also relax the heart muscle. Lower blood pressure can help treat diastolic heart failure because the heart does not need to work too hard when pumping blood.
Calcium channel blockers usually not used for systolic heart failure, where the heart has difficulty pumping blood out.
Always consult with a doctor before using antiarrhytmic group IV. Tell your doctor if you are or plan to get pregnant or are breastfeeding. Also tell your doctor what medications you use, including natural supplements, and herbs. Tell your doctor if you have allergies to group IV antiarrhythmic treatment.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
