When calcium channel blockers are used

Calcium channel blockers are used to treat high blood pressure. But they also may be used to prevent, treat or improve symptoms of some conditions. Examples are:

• Coronary artery disease.
• Chest pain, called angina.
• Irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias.
• Blood vessel conditions, such as Raynaud's disease.

For Black people, calcium channel blockers might work better than other blood pressure medicines. Other blood pressure medicines include beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, also called ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin 2 receptor blockers.