Iron overload cardiomyopathy is becoming more prevalent, and early recognition and intervention may alter outcomes.
Calcium channels are key transporters of
iron under
iron-overloaded conditions, and potentially represent a new therapeutic target for
iron overload. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between
Calcium channel blocker (CCB) use and serum
ferritin among adults with diagnosed
hypertension. We analyzed the nationally representative NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) 1999-2002 for adults ≥40 years with diagnosed
hypertension. The association between CCBs and serum
ferritin was assessed using a t-test and adjusted multiple regressions.The study population included 2143 individuals (representing 37.4 million individuals, 42.0 % males). 12.6 % of the population reported taking CCBs in the last month. Individuals taking CCBs had lower mean serum
ferritin (129.3 ng/mL versus 154.5 ng/mL, p = 0.02). After adjusting for age, sex, menopause and
hysterectomy status for women, race/ethnicity, and
C-reactive protein, mean serum
ferritin for individuals taking CCBs was 26.3 ng/mL lower than for those not taking CCBs (p = 0.01). In an adjusted regression, individuals who took CCBs and had a daily
vitamin C intake of ≥500 mg had a mean serum
ferritin that was 60.1 ng/mL lower than people not taking CCBs and with daily
vitamin C < 500 mg (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study found an association between use of CCBs and lower serum
ferritin levels in individuals with
hypertension. Further studies are needed to assess the possible use of CCBs as non-traditional
chelating agents for treatment of
iron overload cardiomyopathy.