What Is the Relationship between Arginine and Blood Pressure?

The relationship between arginine and blood pressure is one between medication and medical condition. As a medication, arginine is sometimes used to help lower high blood pressure, a dangerous medical condition. Although arginine and blood pressure might have this relationship, the connection is not entirely conclusive. That is, there is not sufficient evidence to support the benefits and use of arginine on high blood pressure. With more evidence, the relationship between arginine and blood pressure can more accurately be determined.

Further exploration of arginine and blood pressure might help in understanding the medication and the medical condition. Arginine itself is an amino acid that performs a variety of functions in the body and plays a role in treating an array of medical conditions. Blood pressure, on the other hand, is the force of blood pumped through the arteries by the heart. High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that strains the heart and arteries, complications which can then lead to other serious medical conditions. It appears the effects of arginine on the body are what can potentially help in lowering blood pressure.

Arginine is naturally found in the body and in foods that have protein but for some people with certain medical conditions, it is helpful to take the amino acid as a medication as well. The body turns arginine into nitric oxide, which is a chemical that widens blood vessels. With widened blood vessels, blood is allowed to flow easier throughout the body. This function, along with other functions of arginine, enables the medication to be helpful in treating a number of medical conditions which include erectile dysfunction, kidney function and wound recovery time. Since high blood pressure strains the heart and arteries, and arginine helps improve blood flow, it is thought that arginine might help lower high blood pressure.

There are two different measurements for blood pressure: the force of blood pumped through the arteries each time the heart beats and the force of it when the heart rests. In general, when the measurement is a lot higher than normal, the condition is known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a common medical condition that affects many people and although it is dangerous, with treatment, it can be maintained. The specific cause of high blood pressure is unknown, but many factors, such as medications or other illnesses, can accompany or contribute to the condition.