The main difference between calcium channel blockers and beta blockers is that calcium channel blockers inhibit the flow of calcium ions through calcium channels, whereas beta-blockers directly block the beta receptors.
Calcium channel blockers and beta blockers are essential to treat angina, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and migraine headaches.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Calcium Channel Blockers
– Definition, Features, Importance
2. What are Beta Blockers
– Definition, Features, Importance
3. Similarities Between Calcium Channel Blockers and Beta Blockers
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Calcium Channel Blockers and Beta Blockers
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers
What are Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are a group of medications that disrupt the movement of calcium ions through calcium channels. They are a medication for decreasing blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Also, they are effective against stiffness in large blood vessels that cause elevated systolic blood pressure in elderly patients. Additionally, calcium channel blockers are essential in altering heart rate, reducing chest pain in angina pectoris, and preventing peripheral and cerebral vasospasm.
Figure 1: Dipines
Furthermore, there are two classes of calcium channel blockers: dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine. Dihydropyridines are derivatives of dihydropyridine. They reduce arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance. Also, they are used to treat angina, resulting in vasodilation and hypotension. Amlodipine (Norvasc), aranidipine (Sapresta), azelnidipine (Calblock), and barnidipine (HypoCa) are examples of dihydropyridines. On the contrary, non-dihydropyridines are selective for the myocardium reducing the oxygen demand in the myocardium. Also, there are three classes of non-dihydropyridines: phenylethylamine, benzothiazepine, and non-selective non-dihydropyridines.
What are Beta Blockers
Beta-blockers are another class of medications predominantly used to manage abnormal heart rhythms. Also, it protects the heart from a second heart attack after the first heart attack. Additionally, beta-blockers are important in treating high blood pressure. Furthermore, beta blockers are competitive antagonists that block the receptors for adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones. These receptors are adrenergic beta receptors that occur in the sympathetic nervous system. This type of nervous system mediates the fight-or-flight response. Also, there are three types of beta receptors: β1, β2, and β3.
Figure 2: Propranolol
Moreover, the heart and kidney contain β1-adrenergic receptors. Lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, uterus, vascular smooth muscle, and skeletal muscle have β2 adrenergic receptors. Meanwhile, fat cells contain β3 adrenergic receptors. The primary function of beta-blockers is to bind to the beta receptors, blocking the binding of epinephrine to the receptor.
Similarities Between Calcium Channel Blockers and Beta Blockers
- Calcium channel blockers and beta blockers are two medicines used to treat the same cardiovascular conditions.
- They treat angina, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and migraine headaches.
- They lower blood pressure.
Difference Between Calcium Channel Blockers and Beta Blockers
Definition
Calcium channel blockers refer to a type of drug that keeps calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. Meanwhile, beta blockers refer to any of a class of drugs that prevent the stimulation of the adrenergic receptors responsible for increased cardiac action, used to control heart rhythm, treat angina, and reduce high blood pressure.
Examples
Examples of calcium channel blockers are amlodipine (Norvasc), aranidipine (Sapresta), azelnidipine (Calblock), barnidipine (HypoCa), etc., while examples of beta blockers are acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone, Betoptic S), and bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta).
Significance
Calcium channel blockers inhibit the flow of calcium ions through calcium channels, while beta blockers directly block the beta receptors.
Side Effects
Side effects of calcium channel blockers include headache, constipation, edema, drowsiness, low blood pressure, dizziness, and liver dysfunction. In contrast, side effects of beta blockers include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, insomnia, disorientation, hair loss, weakness, muscle cramps, and fatigue.
Conclusion
In brief, calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are two types of medicine used to treat high blood pressure. They lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers inhibit the flow of calcium ions through calcium channels. Amlodipine, aranidipine, azelnidipine, and barnidipine are examples of calcium channel blockers. Also, the side effects of calcium channel blockers include headache, constipation, edema, drowsiness, low blood pressure, dizziness, and liver dysfunction.
In comparison, beta blockers inhibit the function of the beta receptors. Acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, and bisoprolol are examples of beta blockers. Additionally, the side effects of beta blockers include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, insomnia, disorientation, hair loss, weakness, muscle cramps, and fatigue. However, the main difference between calcium channel blockers and beta blockers is their type of action.
References:
- McKeever RG, Hamilton RJ. Calcium Channel Blockers. [Updated 2022 Aug 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
- Farzam K, Jan A. Beta Blockers. [Updated 2022 Dec 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
Image Courtesy:
- “Dipines” By User:Innerstream – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Propranolol” By Margoz- Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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