Blood pressure lowering drug may prevent hypertension sufferers from further heart complications
October 5, 2001 | 12:00am
Dr. Oscar A. Carretero, professor of medicine at the Henry Ford Health Services Center, Detroit, Michigan, revealed recently in a media briefing held at the Shangri-la EDSA Plaza Hotel, Mandaluyong City that the use of the blood pressure lowering medication known as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril maleate can help prevent patients from further heart complications which often lead to hospitalization.
According to the controlled clinical trial Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD), Dr. Carretero pointed out that patients with hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction (a condition where the heart reaches a point that it can no longer pump adequately), a history of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or diabetes can be protected from further complications with the use of ACE inhibitors, a class of blood pressure lowering medications, such as enalapril maleate. "In clinical trials, the incidence of hospitalization for heart failure and recurrent ischemic (state of insufficient blood supply) events such as fatal or non-fatal heart attack or unstable angina (chest pain) can be reduced by the use of ACE inhibitors such as enalapril," Dr. Carretero said. "The savings from preventing hospitalizations by the use of enalapril in the SOLVD clinical trial were shown to be higher than the cost of the drug," he added.
ACE inhibitors act by blocking the Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS), a hormonal system responsible for the rise and fall of blood pressure. ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is the protein that constricts the blood vessels causing the blood pressure to rise. Angiotensin II also stimulates the release of the hormone aldosterone, which promotes salt and water retention, and promotes the abnormal growth of cells in the heart and blood vessels.
Based on controlled clinical trials, ACE inhibitors such as enalapril maleate (Renitec), decreased mortality, heart failure and the recurrence of heart attack in patients who survived a heart attack without left ventricular dysfunction (LVD); in patients who survived a heart attack with left LVD and with or without evidence of heart failure; and in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events but without prior morbid events.
Dr. Carretero said that there is overwhelming evidence of the clinical and cardioprotective benefits of blocking the RAS with ACE inhibitors among a broad spectrum of patients with cardiovascular disease which includes hypertension, coronary disease and heart failure. "In these patients, ACE inhibitors may provide benefits such as decreased mortality, decreased heart failure and decreased heart attack."
"Current evidence demonstrates that ACE inhibitors are superior to a class of anti-hypertensive drugs called calcium channel blockers (CCB) in the prevention of heart attack, in patients with high blood pressure (including those with diabetes) and in heart failure. Evidence also reveals that the blockade of RAS in hypertensive patients with diabetes may also reduce renal problems which has not been shown for long-acting CCBs," Dr. Carretero concluded.
Cough and swelling of the face and extremities have been reported in patients treated with ACE inhibitors, including enalapril maleate. Furthermore, the use of these agents during pregnancy is not recommended. Patients should always consult their doctors prior to initiating any therapy for high blood pressure.
According to the controlled clinical trial Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD), Dr. Carretero pointed out that patients with hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction (a condition where the heart reaches a point that it can no longer pump adequately), a history of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or diabetes can be protected from further complications with the use of ACE inhibitors, a class of blood pressure lowering medications, such as enalapril maleate. "In clinical trials, the incidence of hospitalization for heart failure and recurrent ischemic (state of insufficient blood supply) events such as fatal or non-fatal heart attack or unstable angina (chest pain) can be reduced by the use of ACE inhibitors such as enalapril," Dr. Carretero said. "The savings from preventing hospitalizations by the use of enalapril in the SOLVD clinical trial were shown to be higher than the cost of the drug," he added.
ACE inhibitors act by blocking the Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS), a hormonal system responsible for the rise and fall of blood pressure. ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is the protein that constricts the blood vessels causing the blood pressure to rise. Angiotensin II also stimulates the release of the hormone aldosterone, which promotes salt and water retention, and promotes the abnormal growth of cells in the heart and blood vessels.
Based on controlled clinical trials, ACE inhibitors such as enalapril maleate (Renitec), decreased mortality, heart failure and the recurrence of heart attack in patients who survived a heart attack without left ventricular dysfunction (LVD); in patients who survived a heart attack with left LVD and with or without evidence of heart failure; and in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events but without prior morbid events.
Dr. Carretero said that there is overwhelming evidence of the clinical and cardioprotective benefits of blocking the RAS with ACE inhibitors among a broad spectrum of patients with cardiovascular disease which includes hypertension, coronary disease and heart failure. "In these patients, ACE inhibitors may provide benefits such as decreased mortality, decreased heart failure and decreased heart attack."
"Current evidence demonstrates that ACE inhibitors are superior to a class of anti-hypertensive drugs called calcium channel blockers (CCB) in the prevention of heart attack, in patients with high blood pressure (including those with diabetes) and in heart failure. Evidence also reveals that the blockade of RAS in hypertensive patients with diabetes may also reduce renal problems which has not been shown for long-acting CCBs," Dr. Carretero concluded.
Cough and swelling of the face and extremities have been reported in patients treated with ACE inhibitors, including enalapril maleate. Furthermore, the use of these agents during pregnancy is not recommended. Patients should always consult their doctors prior to initiating any therapy for high blood pressure.
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