Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVasodilation ExplainedWhen Vasodilation HappensConditions That Change VasodilationHow to Improve Vasodilation
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vasodilation Explained
When Vasodilation Happens
Conditions That Change Vasodilation
How to Improve Vasodilation
Vasodilation is a function within the circulatory system that occurs when the smooth muscles in the blood vessels relax, allowing the blood vessels to widen or dilate. This increases blood flow to areas lacking nutrients or oxygen. Vasodilation can occur naturally when the body signals a need for nutrients or oxygen or with vasodilator medications, such as calcium channel blockers or (angiotensin-converting enzyme) ACE inhibitors, to treat high blood pressure.
Vasodilation Explained in Simple Terms
“Vaso” comes from a Latin word meaning vessel, and “dilation” means to widen, hence vasodilation.Understanding the basic physiology of the circulatory system may help provide context as to how vasodilation fits into the “bigger picture.”
The Circulatory SystemThe circulatory system is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout the body via your blood. It includes the following:Heart: Pumps bloodBlood vessels: Carry blood throughout the bodyArteries: Carry blood away from the heartVeins: Carry blood back to the heart
The Circulatory System
The circulatory system is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout the body via your blood. It includes the following:Heart: Pumps bloodBlood vessels: Carry blood throughout the bodyArteries: Carry blood away from the heartVeins: Carry blood back to the heart
The circulatory system is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout the body via your blood. It includes the following:
Vasodilation and vasoconstriction (narrowing blood vessels) help move blood through your body’s extensive network of blood vessels. Think of your heart as the pump that powersblood flowand your blood vessels as the pipes that carry the blood.Vasodilation affects your blood vessels.
Benefits of Vasodilation
When blood needs to move more quickly or specific body areas require more blood volume, vasodilation helps increase blood flow. Without the resistance of a narrower blood vessel, vasodilation helps deliver oxygen-rich blood to the tissues.
The circulatory system delivers blood throughout the body. To achieve this, blood vessels dilate (widen) and constrict (narrow). However, you may develop high blood pressure when your blood vessels are narrowed and may require medications to manage this condition.—CHRISTOPHER LEE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
The circulatory system delivers blood throughout the body. To achieve this, blood vessels dilate (widen) and constrict (narrow). However, you may develop high blood pressure when your blood vessels are narrowed and may require medications to manage this condition.
—CHRISTOPHER LEE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Vasodilation can occur in any body area, depending on the need for oxygen and nutrients.Your body sends electrical andchemical signalsto trigger vasodilation.
Types of Vasodilators
In addition to the internal mechanical and chemical triggers that cause vasodilation, other substances can replicate or enhance the opening of blood vessels.
Somemedicationsa healthcare provider may prescribe to help dilate your blood vessels include:
High blood pressure (hypertension) affects vasodilation. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, your blood vessels have narrowed for various reasons, and blood flow can become restricted. You may need medications that increase your natural vasodilation if you have high blood pressure. Vasodilator medications relax the smooth muscles to open the vessels and let more blood flow through.
Emergency Vasodilation Complications
Too little vasodilation can increase blood pressure and restrict blood flow, but too much vasodilation can drop your blood pressure dangerously low.
Vasodilatory shock is a condition that can occur with severe illness.Anaphylaxis, severeinflammatory reactions, infections, and other critical illnesses can suddenly cause blood vessels to relax. This sudden change can lead to circulatory shock and cause profound hypotension (low blood pressure), which is a medical emergency.
If your body is in astate of shockthat results in low blood pressure from too much vasodilation, you will likely need treatment in an intensive care unit with medications calledvasopressors. These medications cause vasoconstriction and help to increase resistance in your blood vessels and raise your blood pressure.
Your body naturally dilates and constricts your blood vessels to meet the demands of your tissues, but over time, these body responses can become less effective. Eating a balanced diet, monitoring your cholesterol, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and getting regular exercise can help you ward off conditions that can strain your circulatory system.
If you notice an increase in your blood pressure that does not yet require prescription medications, your healthcare provider may recommend diet and lifestyle changes. Some natural substances andsupplementsalso have a vasodilatory effect.
These substances have a similar effect to vasodilator medications, so talk to your healthcare provider before using them. Too much vasodilation could result in dangerously low blood pressure.
Some examples of natural vasodilators include:
These substances and others can have a vasodilatory effect, but controlling the exact amount of vasodilation can be challenging. If you have severely high blood pressure, you may still need to take prescription medications, and combining these supplements with your medications may not be safe. Always talk to a healthcare provider before taking any new supplements.
Summary
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Dictionary.com.Vaso-.InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.In brief: how does the blood circulatory system work? [Updated 2023 Nov 21].National Cancer Institute.Physiology of circulation.Tang F, Yan HL, Wang LX, et al.Review of natural resources with vasodilation: traditional medicinal plants, natural products, and their mechanism and clinical efficacy.Front. Pharmacol.2021;12. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.627458.Ramanlal R, Gupta V.Physiology, vasodilation. [Updated 2023 Jan 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Wieruszewski PM, Khanna AK.Vasopressor choice and timing in vasodilatory shock.Crit Care.2021;26(76). doi:10.1186/s13054-022-03911-7Kiani AK, Bonetti G, Medori MC, et al.Dietary supplements for improving nitric-oxide synthesis.J Prev Med Hyg. 2022;63(2):E239-E245. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2766
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Dictionary.com.Vaso-.InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.In brief: how does the blood circulatory system work? [Updated 2023 Nov 21].National Cancer Institute.Physiology of circulation.Tang F, Yan HL, Wang LX, et al.Review of natural resources with vasodilation: traditional medicinal plants, natural products, and their mechanism and clinical efficacy.Front. Pharmacol.2021;12. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.627458.Ramanlal R, Gupta V.Physiology, vasodilation. [Updated 2023 Jan 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Wieruszewski PM, Khanna AK.Vasopressor choice and timing in vasodilatory shock.Crit Care.2021;26(76). doi:10.1186/s13054-022-03911-7Kiani AK, Bonetti G, Medori MC, et al.Dietary supplements for improving nitric-oxide synthesis.J Prev Med Hyg. 2022;63(2):E239-E245. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2766
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Dictionary.com.Vaso-.InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.In brief: how does the blood circulatory system work? [Updated 2023 Nov 21].National Cancer Institute.Physiology of circulation.Tang F, Yan HL, Wang LX, et al.Review of natural resources with vasodilation: traditional medicinal plants, natural products, and their mechanism and clinical efficacy.Front. Pharmacol.2021;12. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.627458.Ramanlal R, Gupta V.Physiology, vasodilation. [Updated 2023 Jan 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Wieruszewski PM, Khanna AK.Vasopressor choice and timing in vasodilatory shock.Crit Care.2021;26(76). doi:10.1186/s13054-022-03911-7Kiani AK, Bonetti G, Medori MC, et al.Dietary supplements for improving nitric-oxide synthesis.J Prev Med Hyg. 2022;63(2):E239-E245. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2766
American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.
Dictionary.com.Vaso-.
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.In brief: how does the blood circulatory system work? [Updated 2023 Nov 21].
National Cancer Institute.Physiology of circulation.
Tang F, Yan HL, Wang LX, et al.Review of natural resources with vasodilation: traditional medicinal plants, natural products, and their mechanism and clinical efficacy.Front. Pharmacol.2021;12. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.627458.
Ramanlal R, Gupta V.Physiology, vasodilation. [Updated 2023 Jan 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024
Wieruszewski PM, Khanna AK.Vasopressor choice and timing in vasodilatory shock.Crit Care.2021;26(76). doi:10.1186/s13054-022-03911-7
Kiani AK, Bonetti G, Medori MC, et al.Dietary supplements for improving nitric-oxide synthesis.J Prev Med Hyg. 2022;63(2):E239-E245. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2766
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