ACE inhibitors relax blood vessels by reducing the level of angiotensin II, a hormone that makes blood vessels contract. These drugs reduce the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. All ACE inhibitors appear to be equally effective.
ACE inhibitors are useful for people with coronary artery disease who also have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, or heart failure. They can also benefit people who have had a recent heart attack.
Many ACE inhibitors are available in the US. These include benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik).
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