What are angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for heart failure?

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are a type of heart failure medication that works by preventing the body from creating angiotensin, a substance in the blood that causes vessels to tighten and raises blood pressure. In large-scale studies, ACE inhibitors have been proven to slow the progression of heart failure.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are drugs which we use a lot in heart failure. They are also used for people with high blood pressure. Possible side effects when taking an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor are:

• Increased potassium level -- Sometimes, if you're taking lots of pills, increased potassium level is a good thing. If you're not, that's a problem.
• Change in sense of taste -- Probably 2-3% of people taking ACE inhibitors complain that food just doesn't taste good anymore when they start using these medications. This problem may or may not improve.
• Cough -- The most common side effect and the one that's a problem for doctors is that some people get a cough when using ACE inhibitors. It's a dry, tickling, teasing cough that just drives people crazy.