Patient was educated on Diltiazem and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Entry of calcium ion through the calcium channels, into the cells lining the blood vessels is needed for narrowing or constriction of blood vessel, which results in elevated blood pressure.
- Entry of calcium ion into the SA node cells, which is the natural pacemaker in the body, is also needed to initiate a normal heartbeat in the pacemaker cells.
- Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that blocks the calcium channels in the blood vessels and the SA node and slows the entry of calcium into these cells.
- Inhibition of calcium entry into these cells prevents narrowing of the blood vessels and promotes dilation of blood vessels in the periphery and in the coronary circulation.
- Inhibition of calcium entry into the SA node cells will slowdown initiation of heart beat and thereby, slowdown the heart rate.
- Dilation of blood vessels help with reducing the blood pressure and improve blood flow to some extent.
- Reducing the blood pressure can help reduce the workload on the heart. Reduced workload on the heart can contribute towards improving the efficiency of cardiac function in individuals with heart failure.
