Vasodilators

Vasodilators are a class of drugs that dilate (widen) blood vessels. They work directly on the muscles in the walls of your arteries, preventing the muscles from tightening and the walls from narrowing. As a result, blood flows more easily through your arteries, your heart doesn't have to pump as hard and your blood pressure is reduced.

Mechanism of Action

Vasodilators act directly on the smooth muscle in the wall of arteries and veins to cause relaxation, thereby dilating the vessels. This dilation can be achieved through a variety of mechanisms, including inhibition of smooth muscle contraction, interference with the release or action of vasoconstrictor substances, or stimulation of the release or action of vasodilator substances.

Types of Vasodilators

There are several types of vasodilators, including:

• Nitrovasodilators: These drugs, such as nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate, release nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator, into the blood.

• Calcium channel blockers: These drugs, such as amlodipine and diltiazem, inhibit the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle cells, causing relaxation and vasodilation.

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: These drugs, such as lisinopril and enalapril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor.

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These drugs, such as losartan and valsartan, block the action of angiotensin II at its receptor, causing vasodilation.

Uses

Vasodilators are used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Hypertension: By dilating blood vessels, vasodilators can help lower blood pressure.

• Angina: Vasodilators can help increase blood flow to the heart, relieving chest pain.

• Heart failure: Vasodilators can help reduce the workload on the heart.

• Pulmonary hypertension: Vasodilators can help lower pressure in the lungs.

Side Effects

Like all drugs, vasodilators can have side effects. These may include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Hypotension
• Reflex tachycardia
• Dizziness

See Also

• Antihypertensive drugs
• Vasoconstrictors

Vasodilators Resources
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