Heart failure medicine: ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are medicines that relax blood vessels and make it easier for your heart to pump blood. They may help you feel better, have fewer symptoms and live longer.

With heart failure, your body makes too many stress hormones. Over time these hormones can be harmful to your heart. ACE inhibitors block the effects of the hormones and protect your heart.

They may also be used for people who have high blood pressure or who have had heart attacks, but they will help you even if you don't have these problems.

You may have to wait several weeks of taking ACE inhibitors before you notice any changes.

Side effects

Most people have few side effects from ACE inhibitors. The possible side effects include:

dizziness
dry cough
increased swelling (especially in your lips or throat)
joint or muscle pain
problems with the kidneys or potassium level
low blood pressure

When to call your health care provider

Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the ACE inhibitor. But, if any of the following side effects won't go away or bother you, call your health care provider:

diarrhea
headache
loss of taste or unusual taste in your mouth
nausea
unusual tiredness
signs of high potassium level: confusion; irregular heartbeat; nervousness; numbness or tingling in your hands, feet or lips; weakness or a heavy feeling in your legs