(For more, see the What is being tested? section.) A hemoglobin test may be used to: Screen for, diagnose, and measure the severity of anemia (low RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit) or polycythemia (high RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit) Monitor the response to treatment of anemia or polycythemia.
Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering into the heart muscle cells, and into the smooth muscle cells that cause blood vessels to constrict. This relaxing effect results in the dilation of blood vessels, and a reduced force of contraction of the heart muscle.
Other calcium channel blockers in the DHP class include nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), and isradipine (Dynacirc). Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering certain types of muscle cells. Since the muscle cells need calcium to contract, CCBs prevent the cells from contracting, that is, they cause the muscle cells to relax. Nisoldipine selectively relaxes the muscles of small arteries causing the arteries to dilate but has little or no effect on muscles of veins or the heart.