Ace inhibitors and beta-blockers are types of high blood pressure medications. They work in a different way and help in the treatment of diverse conditions. Nevertheless, the choice or selection of the drugs may rely upon the health condition of the person. For now, let’s learn about the difference between ace inhibitors and beta-blockers.
How do they work?
Ace inhibitors work by calming your blood vessels and decreasing the blood pressure.
Conversely, beta-blockers work in a different way. They aim to normalize the heart rate and blood pressure of a person. These medicines spoil the work of beta 1 receptors, which causes the heart to pump the blood at a rapid rate and work tougher than normal.
Which health conditions do they treat?
Ace inhibitors help in the treatment of hypertension. Nevertheless, with the combination of other drugs, it may also help in reducing the risk of heart failure, stroke, heart attack, and migraine.
On the other hand, beta-blockers can treat the conditions, which ace inhibitors can, including heart failure, stroke, and hypertension. Moreover, other medications belonging to the same drug class can also help to ease chest pain, glaucoma, and abnormal heartbeat.
Let’s learn more about the difference between ace inhibitors and beta-blockers.
What are their side effects?
The ace inhibitors can result in causing the following side effects-
- Rashes
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Wobbliness
- Increased potassium level in the body
- Headache
Some of the side effects, like wobbliness and headache, may fade away after a few months as your body adjusts to the medication. Nevertheless, if any of the symptoms become poor, consult with your doctor.
The possible side effects of beta-blockers may include-
- Depression
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Heart failure
- Exhaustion
Here also, some after-effects like fatigue may go away after a few months. Nevertheless, if low blood pressure and feelings of depression trouble you very often while taking the medication, you should reach out to your doctor for a consultation. Here is an irony that beta-blockers that help to ease heart failure can make the symptoms of heart failure poor. In such a condition, your healthcare provider may recommend you stop taking the medication for a specific period of time.
In what conditions are ace inhibitors and beta-blockers prescribed together?
People can be prescribed to take both the medications together if they have the following medical conditions-
- Chronic heart failure
- Increased risk of stroke
- Increased blood pressure that is hard enough to keep under control
- History of heart attack
- High risk of cardiac arrest
Doctors often prescribe taking both the medications together. Nevertheless, to know more about ace inhibitors and beta-blockers, consult with your doctor.
