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Calcium channel blockers have been used for many yearsin the management of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. There is ample evidence that verapamil, a phenyl-alkylamine, diltiazem, a benzothiazepine, and the dihydro-pyridine calcium channel blockers are capable of lowering blood pressure and all three subclasses have been used for the treatment of hypertensive patients. However, the ultimate goal of antihypertensive therapy is to prevent cardiovascular com-plications and to prolong life. At present, outcome trials are only available for the dihydropyridine subclass. The present paper will focus on this subclass and review the evidence for its effects on left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiovascular mor-bidity and mortality. Its mechanisms of action and side-ef-fects are well-known and summarized in current textbooks and review papers and will not be addressed in the present manuscript