What are ACE Inhibitors?

If you’ve been keeping up with current events, you’ve probably seen several items involving pharmaceutical drugs.  However, unless you’re a pharmacist, patient or medical doctor, you’ve also probably asked yourself or others, “What are ACE Inhibitors?”  

This article will answer that question so that you’ll know exactly what’s going on as the enormous drug companies begin to answer for what many believe are dangerous medications being placed on the market.  These drugs were invented for particular purposes, but many around the world believe that they simply do too much harm in general to remain on the market. 

Antihypertensives for high blood pressure  

ACE Inhibitors belong to a class of drugs designed to help with high blood pressure.  Technically, they are called antihypertensives, and are sometimes used to treat hypertension. 

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is dangerous because it can dramatically increase the workload of both your heart and arteries.  This increased workload can have extremely damaging long-term effects including damage to the blood vessels in the heart, brain and kidneys.

These problems ultimately come to a head in the form of tragic events as strokes, heart failure, or kidney failure, and also lead to an elevated risk of heart attacks.  In essence, high blood pressure leads to a total system failure if not treated promptly and properly. 

What’s the problem with ACE Inhibitors?

The public is beginning to take notice of troubling stories regarding the results of using ACE Inhibitors.  Most prominently, studies and statistics, including those from such publications as the New England Journal of Medicine, show a marked increase in birth defects present in those babies born to mothers who took ACE Inhibitors during pregnancy. 

According to several reports, women who used the drugs during the first trimester were more than twice as likely to give birth to babies with brain and heart problems as those who did not use the drugs. 

Other media outlets and medical institutions are coming to the same conclusion and reporting the same message.  CNN, CBS News, WebMD and the Mayo Clinic have all thought enough of this issue to spread the word that these drugs can be dangerous in the wrong situation. 

Now that you know the answer to this question, perhaps you’ll also understand that these drugs should be avoided or at the very least treated with great caution if you or a loved one is pregnant and has high blood pressure.  The potential damage is irreversible, and will last a lifetime.  If you or someone you love was harmed by ACE Inhibitors, you need to consult a lawyer immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for your condition, but if you hesitate you could lose your chance for justice. Let us help you get the restitution you deserve! Contact us today.