When calcium channel blockers are used

In addition to being used to treat high blood pressure, a doctor also may prescribe calcium channel blockers to prevent, treat or improve symptoms of conditions, such as:

• Coronary artery disease
• Chest pain (angina)
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
• Blood vessel conditions, such as Raynaud's disease

For blacks and older people, calcium channel blockers might work better than other blood pressure medications, such as beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.