Why should calcium channel blockers not be abruptly discontinued?

Calcium channel blockers are medications commonly used to manage hypertension and certain cardiac conditions. Abruptly discontinuing them can lead to rebound hypertension, which is a sharp increase in blood pressure that occurs after the sudden withdrawal of antihypertensive medication. This rebound effect can also trigger other cardiovascular responses, such as increased heart rate and the potential for angina or other ischemic events due to the sudden rise in blood pressure.

This phenomenon is particularly important in patients who have been on long-term therapy with calcium channel blockers, as their vascular system may have adapted to the presence of the drug. When the drug is stopped suddenly, the body may struggle to adjust to the lack of calcium channel blockade, resulting in cardiovascular instability.

The concern for rebound hypertension is well-documented in the literature and underscores the importance of tapering off the medication under medical supervision, rather than stopping it abruptly. This approach minimizes the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and stabilizes blood pressure effectively.