vasodilators and their effect on the heart.

[druv]

how does this help in the proper functioning of the heart.. are they really sucessful and how do they function.. please explain.

[Glider]

Vasodilators, as their name suggests, cause the veins, venules and capillaries to dilate. They are successful insofar as they do what it says on the tin. They cause veins, venules and capillaries to dilate.

 

The effect of vasodilation is a reduction in blood pressure. If you imagine a closed (but elastic), fluid filled system, then any increase in the volume of the system will result in a reduction of the pressure exerted by the fluid within it.

 

This has two main effects: 1) It makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around as there is less resistance. 2) It allows better perfusion in the periphery as the capillaries are more open.

 

Many capillaries are so fine that erythrocytes (red blood cells) can only move along the vessel in single file. If these are constricted, erythrocytes can't pass along them at all (the reason our skin goes white when it's very cold). It this state persists, then tissue begins to necrose due to lack of oxygen and ulceration occurs (the surface tissue breaks down leading to a shallow, open and chronic leision).

 

This happens in the vascular conditions associated with diabetes. If you administer vasodilators, you increase peripheral perfusion allowing more blood flow through the fine capillary beds and can avoid or alleviate these problems.

[papia]

thanks glider for the info on this..

 

Have been on one for the last few months to treat my hypertension problems.

The one which im using is capozide. This has helped me quite a bit and I feel much better and relaxed now but of course it does take time for the effect to take place depending on the severity of the condition.

 

Capozide Dosage:

 

For adults the recommended dose is 1-2 tablets to be taken twice or thrice a day to be determined by the doctor.

 

For children, the dosage is determined by the doctor based on tests and body weight factors.

[Glider]

Hypertension is usually managable using vasodilators. There are many other factors involved too; dietary (e.g. smoking, drinking, sodium intake etc.) and lifestyle (body mass index, cardiovascular fitness etc.), changes in which which can often have a significant effect, sometimes negating the need for drugs. I'm sure your doctor will have gone through these with you. S/He might also have warned you the one of the side effects of vasodilatory drugs can be postural hypotension (increasing the liklihood of dizziness/passing out if you stand up too quickly).

[Drug addict]

Thiazides alone are normally first line treatment for hypertension, have few side effects (at appropriate doses) and are dirt cheap. Zestoretic (lisinopril and hydrochlorthiazide) is now availble as a generic so would be cheaper than capozide.

 

The single most common side effect of ACE inhibitors is a dry cough since they also inhibit the breakdown of bradykinin. If you find you suffer from a dry cough then best to go and see your doctor.