A drug commonly used to control high blood pressure shows promise in preventing the buildup of fatty deposits that can clog arteries and cause heart attacks, researchers said Wednesday.
A study involving 106 heart transplant patients found those who received daily oral doses of diltiazem, sold as Cardizem, were less likely to have a buildup of deposits known as plaque in their arteries than those not given the drug.The findings suggest the medication may be useful in reducing the risk of artery clogging in millions of people with heart disease and other conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol levels, said Dr. John Schroeder of Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.
Cardizem is one of a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers.