However, they are both effective in lowering blood pressure and treating other heart conditions.
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ACE Inhibitors vs Beta Blockers: What’s the Difference?
As the name suggests,angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorsstop the hormone production that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
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Angiotensin II narrows blood vessels, increasing blood pressure and forcing the heart to work harder.
The inhibition of this hormone relaxes the veins and arteries and lowers blood pressure.
Beta-blockerswork on beta-adrenergic receptors.
They are also called beta-adrenergic receptor-blocking agents.
Beta-blockers reduce the release of the stress hormoneadrenaline(epinephrine).
They reduce the heart rate and the force needed to pump blood around the body.
They also widen veins and arteries to improve blood flow.
Based on their different locations, these are specified to perform different functions.
Common FDA-approved beta blockers include:
What Conditions Do They Treat?
These drugs are widely used to treat different kinds of heart problems and high blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors may also improve kidney function, especially if you have diabetes.
Beta-blockers work at receptors located in different organs of the body.
They are mostly used to treat conditions related to heart and blood vessels.
Which Is More Effective for Blood Pressure?
ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers are widely used to treat high blood pressure and other heart problems.
Many studies support that both these drug classes are effective at managing the symptoms of heart conditions.
ACE inhibitors can also sometimes improve quality of life.
While beta-blockers used to be a first-line treatment for hypertension, their role has changed in recent years.
They are not usually used as the first line of treatment anymore.
Side Effects
ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers can have a few side effects.
Some are serious and may require immediate medical attention.
However, other milder side effects usually go away on their own.
Some common side effects of these drugs are mentioned below.
The following are potentially severe side effects that can occur.
Be mindful if you develop any of these signs.
Immediately call your healthcare provider or seek medical help.
Precautions
ACE inhibitors and beta blockers are among the most widely used medications for heart conditions.
However, they are not suitable for everyone and may not be safe to take in certain circumstances.
Tell your healthcare provider about your medical history and all other details before starting these drugs.
Given below are some conditions in which you should avoid taking these drugs.
It is important to ask a healthcare provider if you are taking multiple drugs for different conditions.
Yes, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors can be used together in some cases.
Therapeutic goals for treating heart disease are often not met with a single drug.
Combining two treatments, like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, is a beneficial approach.
The combined effect of these drugs on the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system effectively manage these conditions.
The combination has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in most people.
The response to treatment may depend on your response to the drug.
The study aimed to find the effects on people’s health and lifestyle.
Results showed that blood pressure was equally well managed.
These included improved sleep, gastrointestinal and physical activity-related symptoms, and the ability to concentrate.
Beta-blockers help lower heart rate and improve blood flow by reducing the release of adrenaline.
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