Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of antihypertensive medication: An ACE inhibitor is a pharmaceutical drug used primarily to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. It works by blocking the action of an enzyme (angiotensin-converting enzyme) in the body, which leads to the relaxation of blood vessels and reduced blood pressure.

Usage

• ACE inhibitors are prescribed by doctors for managing cardiovascular conditions.
• They are typically taken orally in pill form.
• This term is used in medical, clinical, and pharmacological contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor prescribed an ACE inhibitor to control my patient's hypertension.
  • Common ACE inhibitors include lisinopril and enalapril.
  • Patients with congestive heart failure often benefit from ACE inhibitor therapy.

Advanced Usage

• "ACE inhibitor therapy": Refers to a treatment regimen involving this class of drugs.
  • Initiating ACE inhibitor therapy requires monitoring kidney function.
• "ACE inhibitor-induced cough": A known side effect of this medication class.
  • The patient discontinued the medication due to an ACE inhibitor-induced cough.

Variants and Related Words

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor: The full, formal name for an ACE inhibitor.
• ACE-I: A common medical abbreviation.
• Antihypertensive (noun/adjective): A general term for blood pressure-lowering drugs; ACE inhibitors are a subclass of antihypertensives.

Synonyms

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (formal synonym)
• Vasopeptidase inhibitor (in a broader, more technical pharmacological context)

Related Phrases

• "To be on an ACE inhibitor": Describes a patient's current medication.
  • The cardiologist advised that she should be on an ACE inhibitor long-term.
• "ACE inhibitor and ARB": Often mentioned together in medical literature, referring to two different classes of drugs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) used for similar conditions.

Noun

1. an antihypertensive drug that blocks the formation of angiotensin II in the kidney, leading to relaxation of the arteries; promotes the excretion of salt and water by inhibiting the activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme; also used to treat congestive heart failure