Internal Medicine: Open Access
Open Access

Function of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Heart Failure

Zuhuo Wului^{* *}Correspondence: Zuhuo Wului, Department of Cardiology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China, Email:

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Description

Drugs which are known as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors, prevent the body from producing angiotensin II. The primary function of the blood-circulating hormone angiotensin II, which affects the cardiovascular system in various ways, is blood vessel constriction. The creation of ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, is one of the most amazing developments in the management of cardiovascular illnesses. Left Ventricular (LV) dysfunction can benefit from the various immediate and long-lasting hemodynamic effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. They lower pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, decrease systemic vascular resistance, and raise cardiac output and stroke volume.

Regardless of the degree of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), the hemodynamic benefits are linked to a reduction in mortality as well as an improvement in the symptoms and indicators of the condition. Treatment with ACE inhibitors avoided the development of CHF, decreased hospitalization, and decreased cardiovascular death in patients with asymptomatic LV failure. A number of short- and long-term hemodynamic benefits of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are especially advantageous when left untreated LV dysfunction is present.

ACE inhibitors were initially utilized to treat high blood pressure in patients because of their capacity to relax constricted blood arteries. But there are plenty of other equally potent blood pressure-lowering medications on the market. After these medications were created, intriguing new avenues for ACE inhibitor therapy were identified. A person's blood level of angiotensin II is extremely high when they suffer heart failure, a disease caused by weakening of the heart muscles. Giving ACE inhibitors to persons with heart failure has been shown to postpone the development of symptoms, avoid heart failurerelated death, and reduce hospitalization rates. ACE inhibitor use was also studied in individuals who had experienced heart attacks but did not yet exhibit signs of. Thousands of individuals take ACE inhibitors, which have been proven to be extremely safe. All drugs do, however, have adverse effects, some of which call constant patient monitoring. Since ACE inhibitors can lower blood pressure, if blood pressure drops too much, lightheadedness and dizziness may occur. This is not a big deal because most people only have a slight drop in blood pressure when using ACE inhibitors, especially if the starting dose is low. Ironically, coughing is the main adverse effect of ACE inhibitors. Researchers investigated the effects of ACE inhibitors in patients with asymptomatic LV dysfunction because of the advantages of ACE inhibitor therapy on survival in patients with symptomatic CHF.

ACE inhibitors are crucial in promoting salt excretion by increasing renal blood flow and decreasing the synthesis of aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone. Lowering the hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes (vascular tissue hypertrophy is also brought on by angiotensin II), raising blood levels of bradykinin by reducing its breakdown. Vasodilation is brought on by bradykinin. When combined with the normal drop in blood pressure that follows physical activity, ACE inhibitors can lead to abnormal drops in blood pressure. This may result in syncope and, in rare cases, dizziness.

Side effects of ACE inhibitors

Most people have good pharmacological tolerance. However, as with all drugs, ACE inhibitors can have a number of adverse effects. These include, but are not limited to, fatigue, rash, taste impairment, dry hacking cough, hypotension (low blood pressure), fainting, angioedema (possibly fatal swelling of the face and airways), hyperkalemia (an increase in blood potassium levels), and fatigue.

Precautions

The patient should always use ACE inhibitors according to medical guidance because of their potential negative effects. They should only take the recommended dosage of ACE inhibitors if the doctor has prescribed to them. They might not even prescribe these drugs in some cases.