Vasodilation and blood pressure go hand-in-hand. However, is vasodilation good for your blood pressure? Learn about its benefits and more.
Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels, which happens when the smooth muscles in the arterial walls relax, and the blood vessels open up. It enhances blood flow to the areas of the body that lack oxygen.
Even though it is a naturally occurring process, in some instances, it can happen due to health issues.
Vasodilation Causes
There are several reasons why vasodilation occurs naturally. The most common reasons are exercise, alcohol, inflammation, and medications or supplements.
Exercise: When you exercise, your muscle cells consume more energy, which decreases nutrients and increases carbon dioxide. Your body reacts by vasodilating because your body needs more nutrients and oxygen.
Alcohol: This is a natural vasodilator. You can feel your blood vessels widening while drinking when you feel warm or your face begins blushing.
Inflammation: This reaction is the body trying to repair any damage. Vasodilation helps deal with inflammation by delivering oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues. This can cause parts of your body to become inflamed and appear red or feel warm.
Supplements: Taking certain medications or supplements can cause vasodilation. Nitric oxide supplements like L-Arginine aid in vasodilation. Hormones such as histamine, acetylcholine, and prostaglandins also result in vasodilation.
Vasodilation Benefits
Your doctor may recommend taking a vasodilator if you suffer from high blood pressure. This is because it relaxes the blood vessels and lessens the pressure on your arterial walls caused by hypertension.
Other conditions treated by vasodilators include pulmonary hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia, and heart failure. Vasodilation in radiation therapy can also help increase drug delivery and oxygen to the tissues that need it.
Side Effects
Vasodilation leads to a drop in blood pressure and can cause low blood pressure in some individuals. If it drops drastically, it’s called hypotension, and you may experience nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, weakness, and fainting.
Vasodilation helps inflammation by increasing blood flow to damaged cells and tissues. This enables the delivery of the immune cells needed for greater defense.
However, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells and tissues. Conditions that can prompt inflammation include infections, severe allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Vasodilation and Blood Pressure
Talk with your doctor if you think you have a condition that could improve with a vasodilator. Because these drugs lower blood pressure, they are typically used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure.
Taking vasodilators will generally have benefits, but make sure with your doctor before starting on any medication. Vasodilation naturally widens your blood vessels, which increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
It also allows oxygen and nutrients to flow better throughout your body. If you want to improve your flow of oxygen and circulation, try L-arginine Plus.
It has l-arginine, l-citrulline, and other vitamins, like B6 and B12, which effectively support healthy blood pressure, circulation, and overall heart health. Try L-arginine Plus for better vasodilation and blood pressure today.