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Nursing Knowledge
Vasodilators are medications used to relax (dilate) blood vessels, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
Vasodilators relax the smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels. Their widening decreases systemic vascular resistance and allows blood to flow more easily, lowering blood pressure and reducing the workload on the heart.
Vasodilators are used to treat various cardiovascular conditions including hypertension, heart failure, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction. They can also be helpful for clients with Raynaud’s syndrome to alleviate the symptoms of reduced blood flow to the extremities.
Vasodilation in the blood vessels supplying blood to the GI organs is called splanchnic vasodilation. It can, for example, be caused by liver cirrhosis or sepsis. The increased blood flow to the splanchnic organs can lead to or exacerbate portal hypertension. Conditions involving splanchnic vasodilation can serve as a contraindication or warrant caution for vasodilators.
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Natural vasodilators can be beneficial for cardiovascular health and complement medical treatments. Known natural vasodilators include:
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