ACE, or angiotensin-converting enzyme, inhibitors are prescription medications for treating high blood pressure or hypertension, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease. They may also be prescribed after a heart attack to prevent future heart attacks, strokes and other complications. Some commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors include Capoten, Altace, Univasc and Vasotec. According to Dr. Javed Butler M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Emory University and health columnist at ABCnews.com, there are many benefits of ACE inhibitor medications for patients at both a molecular or internal level and clinical or symptomatic level.
Decrease Blood Pressure
ACE inhibitors work by acting on the kidney to reduce the activity of the ACE from creating a protein called angiotensin II in the body. Angiotensin II causes blood vessel wall to constrict, raising blood pressure. ACE inhibitors therefore reduce this action and lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessel walls. This in turn prevents the heart from working too hard and becoming diseased.
Protect Heart and Blood Vessel Walls
ACE inhibitors directly and indirectly benefit the walls of the heart, arteries and other blood vessels. According to the Mayo Clinic, this medication relaxes blood vessels walls and protects the endothelial cells that line the inner surface of the arteries, veins and capillaries. This prevents damage and ruptures to the blood vessel and heart walls and decreases the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Chemical Benefits
Dr. Butler notes at ABCnews.com that ACE inhibitors medications have molecular benefits in patients with high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition to decreasing the protein angiotensin II in order to reduce blood pressure, ACE inhibitors also increase other beneficial hormone chemicals in the body. These include nitric oxide and bradykinin, which help to relax the walls of the blood vessels and even improve their function.
Diabetes Benefits
Diabetic patients are at higher risk of high blood pressure and heart disease because uncontrolled high blood glucose level damages the wall of the arteries and other blood vessels. Some high blood pressure medications such as beta blockers are not recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes because they can cause decreased sensitivity of the muscles and adipose tissue to insulin, the hormone that transports glucose from the blood to the cells. The American Diabetes Association notes that ACE inhibitors medications successfully treat high blood pressure in diabetic patients without causing negative effects on blood sugar levels.
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