vasodilation
Quick Summary
Vasodilation is the widening of the lumen of blood vessels. This physiological process occurs when the muscles in the walls of blood vessels relax, allowing the vessels to dilate. This relaxation reduces resistance to blood flow, increasing blood flow and decreasing blood pressure.12
Vasodilation is the opposite of vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of blood vessels. Vasodilators are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. In the body, nitric oxide plays a crucial role in vasodilation. It is synthesized in the endothelium of blood vessels and diffuses to smooth muscle cells, causing them to relax and widen the blood vessels. This process is essential for regulating blood flow and pressure. Prostaglandins are also powerful, locally acting vasodilators.342
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acetylcholineActions and breakdown…where it acts as a vasodilator, decreases heart rate, and decreases heart muscle contraction. In the gastrointestinal system, it acts to increase peristalsis in the stomach and the amplitude of digestive contractions.
Read More…where it acts as a vasodilator, decreases heart rate, and decreases heart muscle contraction. In the gastrointestinal system, it acts to increase peristalsis in the stomach and the amplitude of digestive contractions.
Read More- prostaglandinVasodilation and blood clotting
Most prostaglandins act locally; for instance, they are powerful locally acting vasodilators. Vasodilation occurs when the muscles in the walls of blood vessels relax so that the vessels dilate. This creates less resistance to blood flow and allows blood flow to…
Read MoreMost prostaglandins act locally; for instance, they are powerful locally acting vasodilators. Vasodilation occurs when the muscles in the walls of blood vessels relax so that the vessels dilate. This creates less resistance to blood flow and allows blood flow to…
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- cardiovascular drugDrugs affecting the blood vessels
…system that regulate vasoconstriction or vasodilation. Another type of indirect mechanism is the action of vasodilator substances that work by releasing a smooth muscle relaxant substance from the cells lining the interior of the vessel. Some drugs mainly affect arteries, which control the resistance to blood flow in the vascular…
Read More…system that regulate vasoconstriction or vasodilation. Another type of indirect mechanism is the action of vasodilator substances that work by releasing a smooth muscle relaxant substance from the cells lining the interior of the vessel. Some drugs mainly affect arteries, which control the resistance to blood flow in the vascular…
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cardiovascular diseaseVasodilationErythermalgia (erythromelalgia) is an uncommon condition in which the extremities, especially the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, are red, hot, painful, and often somewhat swollen. Dilation of the blood vessels (vasodilation) is the underlying factor. The condition is relieved…
Read MoreErythermalgia (erythromelalgia) is an uncommon condition in which the extremities, especially the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, are red, hot, painful, and often somewhat swollen. Dilation of the blood vessels (vasodilation) is the underlying factor. The condition is relieved…
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inflammationVascular changes…the blood vessels dilate (vasodilation), increasing blood flow into the area. Vasodilation may last from 15 minutes to several hours.
Read More…the blood vessels dilate (vasodilation), increasing blood flow into the area. Vasodilation may last from 15 minutes to several hours.
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