How do ace inhibitors lower blood pressure

Rarely, ACE inhibitors can cause some areas of the tissues to swell angioedema. If swelling occurs in the throat, it can be life-threatening.

Taking ACE inhibitors during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects in the baby. If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other options to treat high blood pressure. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors. Products and services. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors These drugs are commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure, heart problems and more.

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Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Mann JFE. Choice of drug therapy in primary essential hypertension. Accessed June 25, Types of blood pressure medications. American Heart Association. Sidawy AN, et al. Atherosclerotic risk factors: Hypertension. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed July 11, Whelton PK, et al. Townsend RR. Major side effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Accessed June 27, American College of Rheumatology. Accessed July 15, Aronson JK, ed. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. In: Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier; Bajwa ZH, et al.

Preventive treatment of migraine in adults. Accessed July 18, Harris BS, et al. Risk factors for birth defects. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey.

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Some over-the-counter pain medications may decrease the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors. Make sure to check with your doctor before taking ibuprofen Advil , naproxen Aleve , and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs. Taking these pain medications occasionally while taking a prescribed ACE inhibitor may not be immediately harmful.

But you should avoid using them regularly. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about potential drug interactions. ACE inhibitors are also not as effective in treating chronic kidney disease in people who smoke. As the exact reason for this is currently not clear, people who smoke should speak with their doctor about their risks before using an ACE inhibitor.

Your diet can also interact with medications. Eating a diet high in salt can reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors in lowering blood pressure. Patients can help prevent this from occurring by reducing the amount of potassium they eat in their diet. Most people tolerate these medications well.

But like all medications, ACE inhibitors can cause several side effects, including:. Due to the possible side effects of ACE inhibitors, you should always follow medical advice regarding taking them. If your doctor prescribes your ACE inhibitors, you should only take the amount they recommend.

In some instances, they may not prescribe these medications at all. Due to the risk of side effects, doctors typically do not prescribe ACE inhibitors to pregnant people. Studies show that exposure to ACE inhibitors during pregnancy can disturb embryo and fetus development and increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in pregnant persons.

Doctors can prescribe alternatives to ACE inhibitors for those planning a pregnancy. Some medical professionals advise that people of childbearing age avoid the use of ACE inhibitors altogether. As with all medications, caregivers should ensure that children take ACE inhibitors as medical professionals direct. As with any prescribed medication, you should never stop taking an ACE inhibitor unless instructed by your doctor.

But consistently taking prescribed medication will help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. Your side effects may diminish over time. Your doctor may also have special instructions on how to discontinue the medication.

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