ACE Inhibitors
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 

There are many new drugs and treatments for blockage in the arteries of the heart.  In today’s Sixty Second Housecall, Dr. Ken Davis shares recent research about some older drugs that may also be helpful in treating coronary artery disease.

It has been known for some time that drugs called ACE inhibitors are beneficial for patients with congestive heart failure or a weak heart pump.  It has also been demonstrated that ACE inhibitors are useful for patients with diabetes by reducing the risk of kidney failure.

A new study in Europe has recently demonstrated that ACE inhibitors are beneficial in patients with coronary artery disease or blockage in the arteries to the heart.  We have known that aspirin and cholesterol lowering drugs are good for these patients.  This study adds a new drug to benefit patients with coronary artery disease.

ACE inhibitors have been known to lower blood pressure, but they are also beneficial in improving the function of the blood vessel wall by preventing constriction and suppressing unnecessary blood clotting.

If you have coronary artery disease, ask your physician if an ACE inhibitor drug should be added to your aspirin and cholesterol lowering medication.  It may reduce your risk of heart attack.

To research this topic further, join us on line at wtva.com.  For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.