Isoptin

Verapamil works by slowing down the movement of calcium through muscle cells that are found in the heart and the walls of blood vessels. It does this by blocking ‘calcium channels’ on these muscle cells. Calcium is needed by the muscle cells in order for them to contract. By depriving them of calcium, verapamil causes the muscle cells to relax. This action of verapamil has two main effects; it slows down the rate at which the heart beats and it allows the blood vessels in the body to widen.