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Drugs That Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Heart Performance (ACE Inhibitors)

Examples

Captopril - Effective drug in the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It also reduces the risk of developing severe heart failure in patients following heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Lisinopril - Effective drug in the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It also reduces the risk of developing severe heart failure in patients following heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Quinapril - Effective drug in the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It also reduces the risk of developing severe heart failure in patients following heart attack (myocardial infarction).

What is an ACE inhibitor drug?

An ACE inhibitor helps your blood vessels relax and open up. The drugs are commonly used to lower blood pressure and to make it easier for the heart to work. By doing so, it often improves the performance of the heart and is used for patients with high blood pressure and/or those with weak hearts (heart failure).

Why are they given?

The doctor believes that the patient's blood pressure is too high and/or that the heart is not working as well as it should. Without this drug the blood vessels are making it too hard for the heart to pump blood. This drug may also be given to patients with diabetes especially if the diabetes has effected the kidney function.

How long are they used?

Normally, this drug is taken for the rest of the patient's life.

Do they have side effects?

Side effects do occur. This medication may cause the blood pressure to be to low and may occasionally cause a cough.