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Cardizem is a calcium ion flux inhibitor, or a slow channel blocker. The drug works specifically on vascular smooth muscle and heart muscle, and helps store calcium to widen the blood vessels.

• decreasing high blood pressure (hypertension)
• steadying a heart that is beating irregularly (arrhythmia)
• decreasing chest pain caused by lack of blood to the heart (angina)

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is caused by too much blood being forced through arteries that are too small. This can put serious strain on the heart. High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, such as genetics, pregnancy, overweight, increased age, inactivity, excessive drinking, drug use, smoking and high fat foods. As many as one in three people have high blood pressure, and many do not know it. Your doctor can help you test for high blood pressure, and it is important to treat it immediately, because it can lead to heart attack and stroke.

An irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, affects more than 2 million people in the U.S. Some arrhythmias will not cause any problems, and patients can live healthy lives. However, other arrhythmias can lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death, according to the American Heart Association. Many people are born with arrhythmia, some acquire it because of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, smoking, excessive drinking, and excessive caffeine consumption.

Angina, or chest pain, is caused when blood vessels are so restricted that there is a lack of blood flowing to the heart. This leads to serious pain and injury, and can lead to death. Blood vessels are restricted because of high blood pressure and plaque build up.

If you think you may have high blood pressure, arrhythmia or angina, contact your doctor. It’s wise to be checked for these conditions on a regular basis, especially as you age. Cardizem may be one treatment your doctor discusses with you.

However, according to the FDA, Cardizem can cause harmful side effects, such as:

• cardiac conduction disease, or irregularly slow or fast heart beats that can lead to death
• congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart can’t pump enough blood to the body’s organs
• hypotension, which is the opposite of hypertension, and is recognized by extremely low blood pressure
• acute hepatic injury, or liver damage
• ventricular premature beats, or abnormalities in the heart rhythms

If you are injured because of Cardizem, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.