RCIS Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Exam Prep

Calcium channel blockers play a significant role in cardiac management primarily due to their effects on the heart and blood vessels. These medications work by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions through calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This action results in several important effects that support their use in managing various cardiovascular conditions.

By relaxing vascular smooth muscle, calcium channel blockers lead to vasodilation, which lowers systemic vascular resistance and subsequently reduces blood pressure. This can be particularly beneficial in the treatment of hypertension and angina, where improved blood flow to the heart and reduced workload can alleviate symptoms.

Additionally, calcium channel blockers directly affect the cardiac muscle by decreasing the force of contraction and slowing down the conduction of electrical impulses through the heart. This action helps to decrease heart rate, making it advantageous in conditions such as atrial fibrillation and other tachyarrhythmias.

Therefore, the answer that encapsulates both the decrease in heart rate and the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle is appropriate. This dual mechanism highlights the essential role that calcium channel blockers play in cardiac management, addressing both hypertensive disorders and controlling heart rhythm.