When first taking calcium channel blockers (CCBs), patients should avoid operating heavy machinery (e.g., driving) until they know how the medication will affect them. Most patients on calcium channel blockers to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) will be taking the medication for the rest of their lives, provided no serious side effects occur. Patients should remember that calcium channel blockers control high blood pressure, but do not cure it. Even if all their symptoms are relieved, patients should continue to take their medication exactly as directed and to keep all scheduled follow-up appointments with their physicians.

Patients taking CCBs may be directed by their physicians to regularly monitor their heart rates. A heart rate lower than normal or below 50 beats per minute should be reported to a physician. Patients being treated for heart failure may need to weigh themselves frequently and report a loss or gain of more than five pounds in a week to their physician.

All patients are advised to carefully follow their physician’s instructions regarding exercise, activity level and diet. This is particularly important for patients taking this medication for the treatment of stable angina. When the frequency and intensity of chest pain caused by exercising is reduced due to the CCBs, patients may be tempted to overdo.

Patients should never stop taking this medication abruptly as it can cause serious side effects. This is especially true for patients with coronary artery disease because abrupt discontinuation may cause angina or heart attack. Since many people with CAD are not aware they have this condition, it is important that all patients who need to stop taking calcium channel blockers do so gradually and under the direction of a physician.