High Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the main risk factors for the later development of heart disease. Narrow blood vessels are often the cause of high blood pressure. When blood vessels are too narrow, the heart must work extraordinarily hard to pump blood throughout the body. Blood vessels often become more narrow when they're affected by angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) released by the body. These enzymes trigger the blood vessels to constrict and tighten. This enzyme can be subdued by ACE inhibitor medication.
  
  

How ACE Inhibitors Work

• ACE inhibitors are a type of medication that helps to lower blood pressure by stopping the production of angiotensin II. This substance triggers the release of hormones that may raise blood pressure. It also causes the blood vessels to become more narrow. By preventing angiotensin II from being produced in the body, the medication promotes the relaxation of the cardiac blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily throughout the body.
  
  

Types of ACE Inhibitors

• Several types of ACE inhibitors are used to control blood pressure. If an ACE inhibitor is needed, a doctor decides which one to prescribe. Some examples of ACE inhibitors are Vasotec, Fosinopril, Captopril, Benazepril, Perindopril, Lisinopril, Quinapril, Moexipril, Ramipril and Trandolapril. According to MedicineNet (see Resources), ACE inhibitors are alike for the most part. However, they may differ in whether they affect the angiotensin-converting enzyme present in the tissues or the enzyme found in the blood. Also, they may differ in how the body eliminates the medication and the dosage required to be effective. One medication is not necessarily better than another, but different individuals may respond better to one over the other. Generally, it will take trial and error to find the best medication for each individual experiencing high blood pressure.
  
  

ACE Inhibitors Combined with Diuretic Medications

• In some cases, individuals with high blood pressure may also need to take a diuretic medication along with an ACE inhibitor to treat their conditions. ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure to a certain extent by causing the blood vessels to widen to promote easy blood flow. However, if excess fluid is in the body and bloodstream, blood pressure will rise due to the increased pressure against the blood vessel walls. In such cases where blood pressure does not lower enough with ACE inhibitors, a diuretic may be used to decrease the amount of fluid present in the bloodstream. Thus, blood pressure will be lowered even more. A diuretic may be prescribed as a separate pill or a combination pill that includes both an ACE inhibitor and a diurectic.