Objective. Arterial hypertension (HTN) is important due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality rates. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are the first-line antihypertensive drugs. HTN can lead to heart failure (HF) by causing hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (HTN LVH). CCBs are recommended for the treatment of HTN LVH. The aim of the paper is to analyze the status of CCBs regarding 1) HTN LVH treatment and 2) capability to prevent HTN-induced HF in the guidelines. Methods. A narrative review is used for this paper. A search of the following databases was conducted: Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Springer, SAGE, Wiley, Oxford Journals, Cambridge, and Google Scholar. Results. CCBs are effective antihypertensive drugs. CCBs are also a very good therapeutic option for HTN LVH because they are capable of causing reverse LVH remodeling. Consequently, we may expect that CCBs would prevent HF. However, evidence suggests CCBs confer less protection from HF than other first-line antihypertensive drugs. A negative inotropic action of non-dihydropyridine CCBs may contribute to suboptimal protection against HF. This discrepancy is clinically relevant because CCBs are in one of the two recommended (single-pill) combinations for the initial treatment of the HTN population. HTN LVH precipitates HF. Conclusion. CCBs are somewhat inferior to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers but still very good in HTN LVH regression; consequently, CCBs are expected to protect from HF. On the contrary, CCBs protect from HF less than other first-line antihypertensive drugs. This discrepancy needs a clear explanation in order to improve clinical practice.
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