Role and Complication of Existing and Newer Calcium Channel Blockers in Hypertension Treatment

Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and early death worldwide. Early and prompt management of hypertension can significantly prevent complications. Owing to the extensive usage of antihypertensive drugs, worldwide mean blood pressure has stayed constant or declined to some extent during the previous four decades although high prevalence in reported in developing countries. CCBs are a class of drugs that are commonly used to lower blood pressure and are structurally and functionally diverse. They are generally well accepted and have less adverse effects. The purpose of this research is to review the available information about role and complication of existing and newer CCBs in hypertension treatment. As soon as CCBs were utilized to treat hypertension, they earned a reputation as potent antihypertensives that significantly and consistently lowered blood pressure in people of all ages and races in mono and combination therapy. CCBs work by reducing peripheral vascular resistance. Newly available CCBs may be therapeutically more effective in treatment of hypertensive individuals with chronic kidney disease than the L-type CCB. Lercanidipine is a third generation CCB that has fewer side effects and is used in people with a high risk of target organ damage and elderly patients. CCBs are associated with certain side effects including peripheral edema, hypotension, headaches, conduction abnormalities among various others. Some studies have also associated use of CCBs with modest risk increase for myocardial infarction and heart failure. Further clinical research is required to elaborately study the efficacy of CCBs in management of hypertension.