Beta Blockers vs Calcium Channel Blockers

Can anyone tell me the difference between the two? I was taking BB to supress my natural heart rate, but it was causing my blood pressure to be very low. One of my doctor's switched me to a CCB yesterday because I was suffering side effects from the BB. Since I have been taking the CCB, my heart rate is not being supressed as well and I feel awful.
I just don't know what to do! Please help!

Amanda

3 Comments

Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers

by SMITTY - 2008-07-26 02:07:44

Hello Amanda,

Maybe the following will help. I'm sure you can see there are no simple answers to your question.

What are Beta Blockers for ?

They are firstly used to treat angina (pain from the heart muscle). They are also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and irregular, fast heartbeats. After a heart attack they are often used to prevent an irregular heartbeat from developing and more damage to the heart. For most heart and blood pressure problems, cardioselective beta-blockers are likely to be used. Carvedilol and bisoprolol are used in low doses for the treatment of heart failure. Non-cardioselective blockers are used to treat migraine and to offset the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland. In people who are anxious, these beta-blockers reduce the physical symptoms of trembling and sweating.

How do Beta Blockers work ?

Beta-blockers work by interfering with the action of adrenaline and its related chemicals. These chemicals are made by the adrenal glands and by the nerves themselves. Adrenaline is an important hormone, but it can also produce harmful effects if too much is allowed to get into the tissues. This is why beta-blockers are used. As a result the heart beats more slowly and less strongly, and blood pressure falls. There is less work for the heart to do, so angina gets better. They stop blood-vessels around the brain from widening so easily which helps to prevent migraine. Blocking the nerve stimulation of adrenaline cuts back the sweating and trembling of people with anxiety or an overactive thyroid gland.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia). (can also cause this acccording to some doctors)

How do calcium channel blockers work?

Calcium channel blockers slow the rate at which calcium passes into the heart muscle and into the vessel walls. This relaxes the vessels. The relaxed vessels let blood flow more easily through them, thereby lowering blood pressure.

Now if you understand all this, you will be great demand on this site as your question, although it may be phrased differently is a frequent one here.

Smitty

YOU AINT GONNA LIKE THIS

by pete - 2008-07-26 04:07:04

Actually this is a dangerous combination of drugs. It nearly did for me. Dont take my word for it. You should read "Calcium channel blockers in chronic heart failure" in the journal of american heart association by M. Packer feb 2007. I would stop those calcium channel blockers and see if you feel better. Best read the article and take medical advice. You should be able to find the article by doing a google search. I expect I will stir another hornets nest with this comment. Although Smitty might agree with me hopefully. Cheers pete

Stirring the hornet's nest

by ted - 2008-07-27 09:07:42

I just want to play devil's advocate so that folks do not panic over Pete's warning. Let me first say that Idon't believe that any one of us in this grroup is even remotely qualified on the subject, but all the stuff that I have read indicates that Beta Blockers and Calcium
Channel Blockers are equally safe and effective. The trick is in knowing which to prescribe. For some conditions one is better than the other. As always. you need a knowledgeable and skilled physician to sort things out. Just because something doesn't work for one person. doesn't make a drug, or combination dangerous for all people.

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