VASODILATORS

One purpose of vasodilators is to lower blood pressure. To understand how vasodilators work, imagine the same amount of water moving through a 1-inch diameter hose versus a 2-inch diameter hose. The bigger the hose, the less pressure on the walls of the hose.

Medications such as vasodilators can help relax and widen (dilate) blood vessels that have become narrowed (constricted).

Generic (and Brand) names

All medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a specific patient group or condition. Consult your doctor for which medications are appropriate for you.

• Doxazosin (Cardura)
• Guanabenz (Wytensin)
• Guanfacine (Tenex)
• Hydralazine (Apresoline)
• Isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatate, Isordil, Isochon)
• Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket)
• Methyldopa (Aldomet)
• Minoxidil (Loniten)
• Nitroglycerin (Minitran, NItro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrogard, Nitrolingual, NitroQuick, Nitrostat)
• Prazosin (Minipress)
• Reserpine (Serpalan)
• Terazosin (Hytrin)

You may have heard of other types of vasodilators. Beta blockers, which area a common heart and blood vessel medication, are one type of vasodilator. Another type is calcium channel blockers.

What they’re used for

• To treat high blood pressure
• To treat/prevent angina (chest pain related to the heart) which can result form atherosclerosis (blocked blood vessels) and coronary artery disease (CAD)

How they work

Vasodilators help relax and dilate the blood vessels, so blood moves through them more easily. This helps to:

• Lower blood pressure
• Allow the heart to work with less effort
• Decrease the amount of angina (chest pain)