Definition

1. Noun:
   • A substance that widens blood vessels: A vasodilator is a type of drug or agent that causes the relaxation and widening (dilation) of blood vessels, particularly arteries and arterioles. This action decreases blood pressure and increases blood flow to specific areas of the body.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor prescribed a vasodilator to help lower the patient's high blood pressure.
  • Nitroglycerin is a common vasodilator used to relieve chest pain (angina) by increasing blood flow to the heart.

Advanced Usage

• Therapeutic Use: Vasodilators are a critical class of medication in treating conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. They work by relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels.
• Mechanism: The term is often used when discussing the mechanism of action of a drug. For example, "This medication acts as a direct vasodilator on the arterial wall."

Variants and Related Words

• Vasodilation (n): The process or result of blood vessels becoming wider.
  • The vasodilation caused by the medication improved circulation.
• Vasodilatory (adj): Having the effect of causing vasodilation.
  • The drug has a potent vasodilatory effect.

Synonyms

• Blood vessel dilator: A more descriptive synonym.
• Antihypertensive (in context): Many, but not all, vasodilators are used as antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Vasoconstrictor (n): The opposite agent; a substance that causes blood vessels to narrow (constrict).
• Smooth muscle relaxant: A broader category that includes vasodilators, as they relax the smooth muscle in vessel walls.

Noun

1. a drug that causes dilation of blood vessels