Angiotensin II is a substance produced naturally in the body that affects the cardiovascular system by constricting the blood vessels. This constriction results in elevated blood pressure levels and forces the heart to pump harder. Angiotensin II triggers a hormonal release as well, a hormone that is responsible for the increase of water and sodium in the body leading to elevated blood pressure levels. Angiotensis II has also been found responsible for making the walls of the heart and blood vessels thick and stiff.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers helps blood vessels to relax causing them to dilate (widen), this lowers blood pressure levels and lets the heart pump blood more easily.  This is acheived by preventing or blocking the angiotensin II actions. This improves heart failures and also slows down the progression of kidney diseases (due to diabetes or hypertension).

Angiotensin II receptor blockers also come with side effects. Usual side effects include:

Some rare but more serious side-effects include:

Despite all the listed side-effects, Angiotensin II receptor blockers are “well-tolerated” by most patients and has proven to be a potent drug in the treatment of hypertension.