ACE Inhibitors

One of the most common medications people with CHF take is called an ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitors are used to lower blood pressure. Having lower blood pressure helps your heart pump more blood with less work, reducing the stress on your heart.

Common side effects can be coughing, headaches, tiredness, loss of taste, a rash, or itching. A full list of side effects can be found in the instructions that come with your medication. When using ACE inhibitors, you should call your doctor if your face, feet, or hands swell, if you notice that your heart isn’t beating at a steady rate, or if you get dizzy. Some tips for taking this medication are:

• Change positions slowly to keep from getting lightheaded.
• Don’t skip a dose.
• Don’t drive or use machinery until you know how your body handles the medication.

Some people get a cough when they take this medication. If you are worried about this side effect, please talk with your care team.

Taking your medication will help you feel better and can help prevent future problems. You may be taking more than one medication to treat your heart failure, and each medication works in a different way, so it’s very important to take them all according to your care team’s instructions. If you have any questions or concerns about your medications, let your care team know.