Calcium-entry blockers and arterial compliance in hypertension.

Calcium-entry blockers dilate small arteries as well as large arteries, particularly in the brachial and the carotid circulations. This dilating effect is associated with an increase in systemic and brachial arterial compliance, which is poorly related to the level in blood pressure. Calcium-entry blockers are able to reverse the reduced arterial compliance observed in patients with essential hypertension, with important consequences to the structure and function of the heart and large vessels.