What is ACE-Inhibitor?
. Hypertension can be treated by using ACE Inhibitors. The contraction of muscles around the arteries and veins causes hypertension. The contraction is caused due to an enzyme produced by the liver called angiotensin II. This enzyme helps in the good circulation of blood.
Angiotensinogen is a protein produced by the liver. It produces angiotensin I through which Angiotensin II is formed by ACE. Inhibitors slow down the activity of the Angiotensin-converting enzyme. ACE Inhibitor works to decrease angiotensin II which results in the dilation of blood vessels.
Patients who undergone surgery after heart attacks consume ACE Inhibitors for better health conditions. Some Observations stated that patients who consumed ACE Inhibitors after Heart surgery had more life span than those who didn’t consume the medicines.
ACE Inhibitors are not for everyone. Pregnant people should not consume ACE Inhibitors because it may cause some complications also If people who have renal artery stenosis consume these medicines they may have kidney failure.
The most common side effects of ACE Inhibitors are Cough, Dizziness, Headache, Drowsiness, Weakness, Rashes, Abnormal taste, Increased uric acid levels, and Sun sensitivity. The most serious but rare side effects of ace inhibitors are Kidney failure, Allergic reactions, Pancreatitis, Decrease in white blood cells, and Angioedema ( Swelling of tissues )
Patients who consume ACE Inhibitors should not use food rich in potassium unless their doctors approve. As ACE Inhibitors increase the potassium levels in the blood, consuming food items that are rich in potassium may cause health hazards.
What is Beta-Blocker?
Other names for Beta-blockers are beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-antagonists, and beta-adrenergic antagonists. They reduce pressure on the Heart and blood vessels and also treat migraine, anxiety, and tremors.
Adrenaline and noradrenaline are hormones that cause pressure on muscles. Higher release of adrenaline and noradrenaline causes an increase in heart beat rate and high blood pressure.
Beta-blockers halt the release of hormones to reduce the pressure acting on muscles around the heart. It takes off the pressure from the brain, blood vessels, and other parts of the body. Apart from protecting the heart beta-blockers protect bones from over-thinning by preventing the kidneys from excreting calcium into the urine.
All Beta-blockers are not the same. They are classified as nonselective Beta-blockers, Cardioselective Beta-blockers, Third-generation Beta-blockers. These are the main types.
The most common side effects of Beta-blockers are fatigue, cold hands, headache, weight gain, diarrhea, and constipation. The rare side effects of Beta-blockers are Shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, decreased libido, and depression. Large dose consumption of beta-blockers leads to Changes in vision, confusion, and irregular heartbeat.
Other medications may increase or decrease the effect of beta-blockers. Beta-Blockers can interact with these medications: ACE Inhibitors, alpha-blockers, anesthetics, antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, inotropic agents, etc.
Beta-blockers should not be used by people with severe heart failure, diabetes, and Raynaud’s disease. People suffering from asthma should use cardioselective beta-blockers also known as beta -1 selective. Sudden stop of using beta-blockers could cause health complications such as angina (chest pain), raised blood pressure, and heart palpitations.
Difference Between ACE-Inhibitor and Beta Blocker
- ACE Inhibitor only deal with Heart but Beta Blockers deal with Heart and Blood vessels.
- ACE Inhibitor prevents the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme but Beta blocker prevents the action of adraline.
- ACE Inhibitors are the primary treatment for high blood pressure conditions but Beta blockers are used when no other medication cures the High Blood Pressure condition.
- The side effects of ACE Inhibitor are dry cough and Hyperkalemia but side effects of beta blockers are Weight gain ang maigraine.
- ACE Inhibitors shouldn’t be consumed by people with allergies and kidney failures, and Beta-blockers shouldn’t be consumed by people suffering with asthama and sick sinus syndrome.
Comparison Between ACE-Inhibitor and Beta-Blocker
| Parameters Of Comparison | ACE-Inhibitor | Beta-Blocker |
| Definition | Medicine that is used to reduce blood pressure | Medicine that is used to reduce blood pressure by blocking the effects of hormones |
| Derived from | Snake venom | Pronethalol and Propranolol |
| Uses | Control of blood pressure, Heart failure, and diabetes-kidney related problems | Heart failure, angina, Migraine, and a certain amount of tremors |
| Side effects | Dry cough, Headache, Loss of taste, Hyperkalemia, and Fatigue | Fatigue and Dizziness, Poor Circulation if blood, Sexual dysfunction, and Weight Gain |
| People who should not consume these medicines | Pregnant women, Kidney Failure, and allergies | Asthma patients, sick sinus syndrome, and bradycardia |