It is generally agreed that there is some point in the accumulation of intracellular calcium ions that, when exceeded, results in cellular dysfunction as well as the actual death of cells. Cells subject to this calcium-mediated trauma include nerve cells but other types of cells are also subject to this sort of damage. Prominent among such other types of cells are those of the heart, expecially those involved in the pacing of its functions, and the vasculature.
