In male lab rats given a drug that raises blood pressure, the overall increase in blood vessel resistance isn't due to major changes in key organ areas — so the problem might be spread across many tiny, unmeasured blood vessels instead.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

12

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12

Hemodynamics of dexamethasone-induced hypertension in the rat

Randomized Controlled Trial

Animal

2009 Oct

The study looked at how dexamethasone raises blood pressure in rats and found that while overall resistance in the body increases, it doesn’t come from the major blood vessels in the kidneys, gut, or legs. This supports the idea that the increase might be due to many small blood vessels elsewhere adding up.

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Source Study

Hemodynamics of dexamethasone-induced hypertension in the rat

Score: 12

DOI: 10.1038/hr.2009.118

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