Adrenaline is a protein (polar) hormone that increases blood pressure. Excessively high blood pressure damages the cardiovascular system and other body systems. Elevated blood pressure is an important cause of renal disease and cognitive dysfunction. How could we use our knowledge of adrenaline in the way that it interacts with cells in the treatment of high blood pressure?

Adrenaline can only act when it combines with receptors on the cell surface. If we could prevent the adrenaline combine with receptors then we will prevent adrenaline from having its effects. We can do that by using drugs that are called "antagonists" or "blockers". These block drugs prevent adrenaline from interacting with its receptors. Adrenaline is effects on blood pressure mainly result from its interaction with beta receptors. The drugs that block this interaction are known as beta-blockers.