• High blood pressure (hypertension).  A condition in which blood is pumped with excessive force against the artery walls. ARBs cause blood vessels to relax, or dilate, reducing blood pressure. They may be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure-lowering medications (antihypertensives).

  • Heart failure. A condition in which one or more of the heart’s chambers is not pumping well enough to meet the body’s demands. By lowering blood pressure, ARBs reduce the workload of the heart. Though some types of ARBs are used in the treatment of heart failure, others might worsen this condition. In some cases, ARBs may be used in addition to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to treat heart failure.

  • Type 2 diabetes. A metabolic condition in which the body's tissues cannot properly absorb blood sugar (glucose) from the blood, because of either a lack of, or inability to utilize, insulin. As a result, glucose levels can rise to dangerously high levels in the bloodstream rather than nourishing the body’s tissues, which can lead to complications such as kidney damage. Certain ARBs (e.g., irbesartan, losartan) may be prescribed in patients with both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure to reduce the risk of kidney failure. ARBs have also been shown to decrease proteinuria (an abnormal leakage of protein into the urine) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). A condition in which the heart’s lower-left chamber (left ventricle) has grown thicker or larger due to an underlying cardiovascular condition, causing strain on the heart. The most common cause is high blood pressure. Certain ARBs (e.g., losartan) may be prescribed in patients with both LVH and high blood pressure.