Calcium is a ubiquitous second messenger which plays key roles in numerous physiological functions. In cardiac myocytes, Ca²⁺ crosses the plasma membrane via specialized voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels which have two main functions: (i) carrying depolarizing current by allowing positively charged Ca²⁺ ions to move into the cell; (ii) triggering Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Recently, it has been suggested than Ca²⁺ channels also participate in excitation–transcription coupling. The purpose of this review is to discuss the physiological roles of Ca²⁺ currents in cardiac myocytes. Next, we describe local regulation of Ca²⁺ channels by cyclic nucleotides. We also provide an overview of recent studies investigating the structure–function relationship of Ca²⁺ channels in cardiac myocytes using heterologous system expression and transgenic mice, with descriptions of the recently discovered Ca²⁺ channels α_1D and α_1E. We finally discuss the potential involvement of Ca²⁺ currents in cardiac pathologies, such as diseases with autoimmune components, and cardiac remodeling.