Calcium Channel Blockers and GERD Risk

Mechanism and Clinical Implications

• The American Heart Association notes that calcium channel blockers can decrease intestinal motility, leading to constipation, particularly in elderly individuals, which represents an additional gastrointestinal consideration beyond reflux 1

Clinical Considerations

• The European Society of Cardiology guidelines suggest that prescribers should be aware that calcium channel blockers can cause noncardiac chest pain through GERD exacerbation, potentially confounding the clinical picture in patients being treated for cardiac conditions, although the specific evidence is not provided in this article, other sources may support this claim 1