[Organ protection and regression of hypertension by calcium antagonists].

Irrespective of the presence of hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, a cardiovascular risk factor in its own right, increases cardiac morbidity and mortality. In addition to ventricular hypertrophy, arteriole wall hypertrophy and its effects on endogenous vessel wall function are also important factors, in particular in hypertension. Calcium is involved in this process, the elevation of free intracellular calcium probably being of greater importance than calcium entering the cells via channels. Thus, effective drug-induced organ protection requires that the substance employed as an anti-hypertensive should lower blood pressure, reduce left-ventricular hypertrophy, and inhibit vascular changes. Animal experiments have shown that calcium antagonists meet these requirements.