ACE Inhibitors - Medications for Blood Pressure and Heart Health | UK Encyclopedia

ACE inhibitors are a class of medications commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease. They work by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow.

ACE Inhibitors FAQ

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What are ACE inhibitors used for?

ACE inhibitors are commonly used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure and are often prescribed to people following a heart attack. Doireann Maddock puts some common questions to Dr Terry McCormack. What are ACE inhibitors and how do they work?

What are ACE inhibitors & angiotensin II receptor blockers?

Next review due November 2024. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are medicines that widen your blood vessels and so, lower your blood pressure. They can treat high blood pressure, and heart and kidney problems.

What are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medicines that help relax the veins and arteries to lower blood pressure. ACE inhibitors prevent an enzyme in the body from making angiotensin 2, a substance that narrows blood vessels. This narrowing can cause high blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder.

Do ACE inhibitors reduce blood pressure?

In high blood pressure (hypertension), ACE inhibitors should help to reduce the blood pressure. In heart failure, there may be too much circulating fluid in the blood vessels. ACE inhibitors help to reduce this. They appear to have a protective effect on the heart and slow the progression of the heart failure. Who cannot take ACE inhibitors?

How do ACE inhibitors work?

High blood pressure (hypertension) - ACE inhibitors usually work well to lower blood pressure. Heart failure - ACE inhibitors reduce the strain on the heart by decreasing the amount of fluid pumped around the body. They also help the heart by relaxing blood vessels. This reduces the amount of force needed to eject blood from the heart.