Print Print
CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.

Angina - stable - Management
Who should avoid taking calcium-channel blockers?

  • Rate-limiting calcium-channel blockers (verapamil and diltiazem) are contraindicated in people with:
    • Heart failure.
    • Bradycardia or atrioventricular block.
    • Cardiac outflow obstruction (significant aortic stenosis or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy): vasodilatation may result in reduced cardiac output.
  • Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers should not be started in people with uncontrolled heart failure (but amlodipine and felodipine can be used if heart failure is stable).

In depth

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement