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Vasodilators are medicines that help open blood vessels. The medicines affect the muscles in the walls of the arteries and veins. They prevent the muscles from tightening and the walls from narrowing.

As a result, blood flows more easily. The heart doesn't have to pump as hard. This lowers blood pressure.

The vasodilators that work directly on the blood vessel walls are:

• Hydralazine.
• Minoxidil.

Some other medicines used to treat high blood pressure also help open blood vessels. An example is calcium channel blockers.