Ace Inhibitors vs Beta Blockers
One of the most common causes for concern is high-blood pressure, commonly termed hypertension. Although this is not actually a disease ,it is one of the most common symptoms that is usually checked. The blood pressure is one of the cardinal signs that doctors usually take note of since the presence of fluctuations or a steady high reading could indicate that something is wrong with the body.
High blood pressure or in medical terms, Hypertension, is the condition in which your blood pressure is beyond that of established normal levels. The blood pressure is the determinant of the amount of blood being pumped and present in your blood pressure. A steady high reading indicates that there is a large amount of blood putting pressure in your blood vessels. Take note that hypertension is not a medical condition, but a significant symptom which could indicate that something is wrong with your cardiovascular system, as well as, abnormalities in the other systems in the body. The fact is, your pressure may change not only due to heart conditions but to other reasons as well for even stress and anger can elevate your blood pressure.
But a constant high blood pressure reading is a cause for some concern, and doctors usually order medications for you to take. These medications are basically anti-hypertensives, which generally lower the amount of blood in your blood vessels. Usually, these medications come in two forms, ACE inhibitors and Beta-blockers which are highly effective medications. However, these are different in their mode of actions.
What are ACE and ACE Inhibitors? ACE is an acronym for Angiotensin-converting enzymes. It is a product of the kidneys to adrenal glands that is released when the body detects that the amount of blood circulating in the blood vessels in inadequate to transfer valuable nutrients to the rest of the body. This results to Aldosterone which is a powerful blood vessel constrictor, and thus constricting the blood vessels and allowing good blood flow.
ACE inhibitors counter the actions of Aldosterone, dilating the blood vessels, and increasing the number and amount of urination, thus, decreasing blood pressure.
And then there are Beta-blockers. These meds act on adrenaline and other hormones that cause stress. Adrenaline is a hormone that increases cardiac rate and compression, constrict the blood vessels, and heightens your senses. And with this, your blood pressure also elevates.
Beta blockers diminish the effect of adrenaline, relaxing and dilating the blood vessels. And with that, amount of pressure in the blood vessels will decrease, thus, preventing complications from constant high blood-pressure readings.
Summary:
1. Ace-inhibitors and beta blockers are anti-hypertensive drugs, decreasing high blood pressure, and preventing complications.
2. Ace inhibitors acts by preventing the formation of Aldosterone, thus dilating the blood vessels and increasing fluid loss through urination.
3. Beta-blockers act by inhibiting the action of Epinephrine, relaxing heart rate and contraction, and subsequently, dilating the blood vessels.