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Glite Dictionary
vasodilator

vasodilator

1 7.2
A drug that makes blood vessels wider to increase blood flow
  • noun
  • /ˌvæzoʊˈdaɪleɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vasodilatador
  • Doctors sometimes prescribe vasodilators to patients with hypertension to help widen their blood vessels.
  • vasodilator prostaglandins
  • endothelium-dependent vasodilator
  • intravenous vasodilator

ATP and ADP are dramatically potent vasodilators.

Examples

  • Moreover, it also has vasodilator effects, which can further compromise the horse, particularly when given with Salix.

    Blog text (25)

  • Because it is a vasodilator, it helps in the dilation of the veins.

    Blog text (2)

  • Nitric oxide is a naturally occurring vasodilator in the microcirculation.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Mediation of these changes by an endogenous vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO), has recently received considerable attention.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Finally, there was a strikingly beneficial short-term myocardial effect of vasodilators in patients with SSc.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Treatment with vasodilators and the 500-calorie, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet resulted in improvement of symptoms in 83% of these patients.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Among the variety of drug therapies that have been used are vasodilators (e.g., carbogen, alpha blockers).

    Academic text (2001)

  • Lemon balm tea is popular for its effects as a vasodilator, helping to reduce blood pressure.

  • Nitric oxide is known to function as a vasodilator, increasing blood flow in the body.

Synonyms

vasodilative
vsvasodilator
  • Specialized
8.8

A medicine that widens blood vessels to increase blood flow

has identical meaning but uses agent rather than substance wording
dilator
vsvasodilator
  • Specialized
7.2

A medicine that makes a body part wider, for example blood vessels or pupils

targets blood vessels specifically, widening them to increase blood flow

Antonyms

vasoconstrictor
  • Specialized
1 7.3

Something, like a drug, that makes blood vessels narrow and raises blood pressure

How Wide

vasodilator
  • Specialized
1 7.2
dilator
  • Specialized
7.2

Surface Forms

vasodilator singular
vasodilators plural

Morphology

vasodilator = vasodilate (transparent) = vaso + dilate + or

Formed from the verb 'vasodilate' plus the agentive suffix '-or'; the meaning 'agent that widens blood vessels' follows directly from the parts.

Etymology

Vasodilator comes from the parts vaso- meaning 'vessel' (think of a vase), dilate meaning 'to widen', and -or meaning 'something that does'. So a vasodilator is 'something that widens blood vessels', which explains how it increases blood flow.