Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are a type of medicine made by scientists. In 1982, they created a substance to block the angiotensin receptor. It lowered blood pressure a little in lab tests. At the time, it could only be given through a needle into a vein. With a lot of work, scientists created a better form of the medicine that could be taken as a pill. Since 1995, ARBs in pill form have been used to treat high blood pressure.