Blood Pressure Treatment ACE

A few weeks ago, I wrote about blood pressure and why we needed to control it, (it reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke). 

Today I thought I would try to help you to understand how one of the blood pressure medications work in as simplistic way as I am able, and why it has a particular adverse reaction (side effect). 

One of the ways our bodies regulate blood pressure, blood volume, and electrolyte balance, is called the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).  

When our blood pressure drops renin is released from our kidneys. A molecule produced by our liver call angiotensin is then reacted upon by the renin to produce Angiotensin 1, which as far as we are aware does not have any biological activity. 

Angiotensin Converting enzyme (ACE) which is in our blood vessels acts on Angiotensin 1 to convert it into Angiotensin 2, and it is this that has the effects on our blood pressure, by increasing it, hopefully just enough to keep good blood pressure.  

If our BP is to high, one of the ways we control it is to stop the ACE from being produced, this means A-2 is not produced our BP drops. 

Another function of ACE is to break down a substance we produce in our lungs called bradykinin.  

Bradykinin causes an inflammatory reaction, in our lungs, so if we take an ACE inhibitor to control BP we may produce to much bradykinin and this results in a cough, due to the inflammation in our lungs. 

ACE inhibitors name usually end in a “pril” such as Perindopril and Ramipril.  

If you have a tickly cough, which has been there for ages and it will not go away, and you are taking an ACE inhibitor, BP medication this article may give you the answer. 

So, until next time keep well, come in and have a chat, your good health could depend on it.