Calcium
Medical term · C
A mineral that the body needs for many vital functions, including bone formation, regulation of heart rate and blood pressure, and muscle contraction.
Related terms
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Blood pressureThe force blood exerts against the walls of the arteries. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.
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Heart rateThe number of times the heart contracts in a minute, normally 60–100 times.
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CalcificationThe buildup of calcium deposits in soft tissue, causing it to harden. Often seen in breast tissue by mammography or in coronary arteries by x-ray or cardiac CT scans.
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Calcium channel blockersA class of drugs that lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, and decreases the heart's need for oxygen by blocking the movement of calcium into the heart and the muscle…