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Published on: September 22, 2011

Calcium in the pathogenesis and therapy of human hypertension

D A McCarron

    The American Journal of Medicine
    |February 22, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Calcium plays a key role in regulating blood pressure. Abnormal calcium handling is linked to hypertension, and calcium channel blockers offer a targeted therapy with no significant metabolic side effects.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Physiology
    • Nephrology
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Epidemiologic data link abnormal calcium homeostasis to hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk.
    • Cellular calcium handling defects are implicated in the development and progression of hypertension.
    • Dietary and environmental factors may influence calcium's role in blood pressure regulation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the contribution of calcium to normal blood pressure regulation.
    • To explore the role of cellular calcium handling defects in hypertension.
    • To evaluate calcium channel blockers as a specific therapy for hypertension.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of epidemiologic data on calcium and hypertension.
    • Analysis of recent studies on cellular calcium handling in experimental and human hypertension.
    • Examination of clinical trial data for oral calcium channel blockers like nifedipine.

    Main Results:

    • Calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, rapidly reduce peripheral vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure upon oral administration.
    • Cardiac output and renal perfusion are maintained during treatment with these agents.
    • Long-term use of calcium channel blockers does not lead to significant adverse metabolic effects or biochemical changes, unlike other antihypertensives.

    Conclusions:

    • Defects in cellular calcium handling contribute to elevated arterial blood pressure in hypertension.
    • Calcium channel blockers represent a specific therapeutic approach for hypertension by addressing these cellular defects.
    • Calcium channel blockers offer a favorable metabolic profile compared to other antihypertensive medications.

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