Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Are ACE Inhibitors Beneficial In Reducing Arterial Stiffness?
Question: I would think that a medication that relaxes arterial walls would be dangerous for a person with cholesterol deposits to these walls, ie, risk of dislodging. Why am I wrong, since ACE inhibitors relax the walls and are used to control blood pressure , according to my scant research?
Brief Answer:
would not cause the clot to dislodge
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors have different functions. ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) is involved in changing angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2.
Angiotensin 2 causes constriction of blood vessels, as you mentioned. This constriction or increase in pressure then causes the blood pressure to increase.
The increase in blood pressure makes the heart work harder, therefore putting pressure on the heart and means that the heart needs even more energy to carry out its function.
Angiotensin 2 also causes other damage: (1) it can increase growth in certain areas and has been shown to cause increased thickness of both the heart and blood vessel walls
Increased thickness of the heart has been shown to increase the risk of death from heart disease
Increased thickness of blood vessels cause them to be stiff, this thickness and stiffness/decrease ability to move, causes more clots in the blood vessels
At the moment there is no evidence that relaxation of the walls causes clots in the arterial wall to be dislodged. The blood vessel walls are damaged and completely smooth due to this damage, this allows clots to adhere.
It does however, increase blood supply to different areas of the body , decreases blood pressure and therefore allow the heart to relax and not work too hard.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
would not cause the clot to dislodge
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors have different functions. ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) is involved in changing angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2.
Angiotensin 2 causes constriction of blood vessels, as you mentioned. This constriction or increase in pressure then causes the blood pressure to increase.
The increase in blood pressure makes the heart work harder, therefore putting pressure on the heart and means that the heart needs even more energy to carry out its function.
Angiotensin 2 also causes other damage: (1) it can increase growth in certain areas and has been shown to cause increased thickness of both the heart and blood vessel walls
Increased thickness of the heart has been shown to increase the risk of death from heart disease
Increased thickness of blood vessels cause them to be stiff, this thickness and stiffness/decrease ability to move, causes more clots in the blood vessels
At the moment there is no evidence that relaxation of the walls causes clots in the arterial wall to be dislodged. The blood vessel walls are damaged and completely smooth due to this damage, this allows clots to adhere.
It does however, increase blood supply to different areas of the body , decreases blood pressure and therefore allow the heart to relax and not work too hard.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
