Class notes science 101

What are ACE Inhibitors? ACE Inhibitors or Angiotensin Converting Enzymes are any of a group of antihypertensive drugs that relax arteries and promote renal excretion of salt and water by inhibiting the activity of an angiotensin converting enzyme. These are enzymes responsible for reducing vasculature resistance without increasing cardiac output, rate or contractility. NCLEX Alert! ACE Inhibitors are one of the most frequently tested antihypertensive drugs on NCLEX. These are the diseases that ACE Inhibitors treat: 1. Hypertension 2. Congestive heart failure And, they lower the risk of stroke and heart attack. You must remember that these inhibitors have side effects in our body, such as: 1. Postural hypotension (commonly known as ‘head rush’ or ‘dizzy spell’) 2. Fatigue 3. Loss of appetite 4. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 5. Hyperkalemia 6. Insomnia 7. Could exacerbate non-productive cough 8. Angiodema