The use of calcium channel blockers, commonly used for many types of heart disease, were found in this case-control study to be associated with an elevated risk of Gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding.
Calcium channel blocker use caused a more than doubled risk compared to beta-blockers.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use increased risk by 22% compared to beta-blockers.
Calcium channel blocker use was more strongly associated with risk of lower GI tract bleeding (256%) than with risk of upper GI tract bleeding (154%) or peptic ulcer-related bleeding (17%).
Calcium channel blockers affect the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, they relax blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload.
Some of the conditions that this class of medication is used for include angina pectoris (chest pain) and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Archives of Internal Medicine 2000;160:1849-1855.
More reasons why this class of drugs should be avoided if at all possible when using drugs to control hypertension. The bleeding effect can be deadly in heart patients who are also on coumadin or other anticoagulants (blood thinners) because hemorrhage may result.
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