How Does Bystolic Work?

 Bystolic^® (nebivolol) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It is known to be effective for lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Many people wonder, "How does Bystolic work?"

 

Bystolic belongs to a group of drugs called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, more often known as beta blockers. As the name implies, these medications block beta receptors in the body. Beta receptors are located in a number of places within the body, including the heart and blood vessels. Stress hormones (such as adrenaline) bind to these receptors and cause certain reactions in the body, such as:

 

At lower doses in most people, Bystolic helps to block a specific type of beta receptor called beta-1 receptors (at higher doses, it also blocks beta-2 receptors). By blocking beta-1 receptors, Bystolic causes the reverse effect of stress hormones. It decreases heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.