Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker. Diltiazem is used to treat high blood pressure and decrease chest pain caused by lack of blood to the heart, called angina. However, according to the FDA, Diltiazem can cause harmful side effects.
Calcium channel blockers block calcium from entering the heart and arteries. This decreases the strain on the heart and widens arteries. Calcium channel blockers are often used after patients experience heart attacks. Drugs like Diltiazem can reduce the risk of second heart attacks and further heart injury. Diltiazem is often sold under the name of Cardizem.
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.
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.
However, according to the FDA, Diltiazem 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