
Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Medicine: What You Need to Know
Introduction Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are a group of medications that block the action of angiotensin II, a protein that causes blood vessels to narrow and increase blood pressure. By blocking angiotensin II, ARBs relax and widen the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow through them and lowering blood pressure. ARBs also reduce the amount of sodium and water that the body retains, which can help prevent fluid buildup (edema) and lower the workload on the heart. ARBs are used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease, and other conditions that affect the cardiovascular system. They can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in people with heart disease or diabetes. ARBs are sometimes prescribed instead of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, another class of drugs that work similarly but can cause a dry cough or allergic reactions in some people. Some examples of ARBs