Calcium Channel Blockers vs Beta Blockers

There are several types of medical conditions that are related to the heart and circulatory systems of the body. One of the most common ailments that is treated by calcium channel blockers and beta blockers is hypertension, or also known as high blood pressure. Both these drugs work differently for treating a particular condition.

Difference Between Calcium Channel Blocker and Beta Blocker

What are Calcium Channel Blockers?
Apart from high blood pressure, these medications are prescribed for conditions such as:

• Angina
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Migraines
• Brain aneurysm complications
• Raynaud's disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in lungs)

These hypertension medications are also known as calcium antagonists. As the name suggests, these medications keep calcium from entering the cells of the heart and walls of the blood vessel. This slows down the heart rate thus, reducing the high blood pressure. Also, these drugs act on the muscles in the artery walls. This helps in relaxing and widening the blood vessels. This further allows blood to flow through the circulatory system. There are several types of calcium channel blockers. Depending upon the condition that is being treated and the overall health of the person, the best of these medications can be availed. Common examples include:

• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Cidipine (Cleviprex)
• Diltiazem (Cardizem)
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Isradipine (Dynacirc)
• Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
• Nicardipine (Cardene)
• Nimodipine (Nimotop)
• Nisoldipine (Sular)
• Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)

What are its Side Effects?
Side effects of these drugs may include:

• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Nausea
• Skin rash
• Edema (swelling in limbs due to fluid accumulation)
• Constipation
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Rapid heartbeat

What are Beta Blockers?
These medications help in lowering high blood pressure, by acting on the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). They cause the heart to slow down in its beats per minute, thus, bringing down the blood pressure. Also, these drugs cause the blood vessels to dilate, and improve blood flow. They are also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents. Other medical conditions for which beta blockers are prescribed for include:

• Arrhythmia (abnormal or irregular heart rate)
• Heart failure
• Chest pain
• Heart attacks
• Glaucoma
• Migraines
• Overactive thyroid gland
• Tremors (certain types of it)
• Generalized anxiety disorder

Commonly prescribed beta blockers are as follows:

• Acebutolol (Sectral)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Betaxolol (Kerlone)
• Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
• Crteolol (Cartrol)
• Carvedilol (Coreg)
• Esmolol (Brevibloc)
• Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne)
• Metoprolol
• Nadolol (Corgard)
• Nebivolol (Bystolic)
• Penbutolol (Levatol)
• Pindolol (Visken)
• Propranolol (Inderal LA)
• Sotalol (Betapace)
• Timolol (Blocadren)

What are its Side Effects?
Not everyone experiences the side effects of beta blockers. But those that do may come across:

• Headache
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Cold and clammy hands
• Fatigue
• Dizzy spells
• Upset stomach
• Breathing difficulty
• Low libido
• Depression
• Lack of sleep

With calcium channel blockers, patients must ensure that they are not taking these medications along with grapefruit. This is because, this stuff can keep the body from eliminating the medications from the body thus, resulting in an accumulation. And this might result in severe side effects. And with beta blockers, experts recommend against stopping these drugs immediately. This is because, it somehow increases the risk of heart attack or other heart diseases.