The role of vasodilators in the cardiological practice

Abstract

Vasodilators are a class of drugs that medical practitioners prescribe and administer to many cardiological diseases and conditions. They act through various mechanisms with the main goal of vessel dilation (arteries, vein, arterioles, etc). The safe and effective long-term use of these medications requires careful attention to adverse effects with concomitant administration of beta-blockers and diuretics to avoid the consequence of reflex cardiac stimulation, salt, and water retention. Nitroso-vasodilators, nitrates and calcium channel blockers are a few of the classes of vasodilators used in the cardiological practice.