Parameters such as cardiac output, venous return, heart rate, myocardial contractility, nervous regulation, peripheral resistance, and blood volume can be pharmacologically altered to regulate blood pressure. Various classes of drugs are used alone or in combination to moderate symptoms of various disease states of the heart and vascular system . The ACE inhibitors are considered front line therapy in the treatment of heart failure due to recent studies that indicate they prolong survival and slow or prevent further heart damage. I is a natural substance in the body that is increased in heart failure. It is converted to its active form, angiotensin II by a converting enzyme found in lung tissue.
Blood pressure decreases and the output of the heart increases.
An annoying side effect of the ACE inhibitors in some people is the development of a persistent, nonproductive cough. These people may benefit from alternate forms of therapy including the angiotensin II receptor blockers. Other common side effects include skin rash, elevation of blood potassium levels, and fluid retention. Some of the ACE inhibitors are present in combination formulations with a diuretic . These drugs block a specific form of angiontensin II receptor, the angiotensin type 1 receptor.