Millions of people in the UK are prescribed ACE inhibitors. These heart medications include the likes of ramipril, captopril and perindopril. Experts have warned that while on these medications, people may need to readjust their diet and other medications that could prevent the drug from functioning properly. This includes a number of over-the-counter medications that people may need to speak to their doctors about before purchasing.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, more commonly known as ACE inhibitors help lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels. It’s a type of medication often prescribed to people with high blood pressure, heart failure or who have experience a heart attack.
Some common types of ACE inhibitors include:
- ramipril
- captopril
- enalapril
- lisinopril
- perindopril
Most people will need to be on the medication long term, along with regular blood pressure checks to ensure it is controlling your levels properly. Regardless of how long you take these medications, you will need to avoid three specific things according to the British Heart Foundation.
Foods high in salt
Foods, or general diets, that have a lot of salt can raise your blood pressure over time. This will directly counteract the effects of your ACE inhibitor and could put more strain on your heart and blood vessels.
Foods the BHF warns may be high in salt:
NSAID medicines
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can impact how well the ACE inhibitor functions and vica versa. Additionally, both drugs also affect blood flow around the kidneys so taking both at the same time can lead to kidney damage.
NSAIDs make up a lot of over-the-counter painkillers including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.
Medicines high in sodium
For the same reasons as avoiding salty foods, people on ACE inhibitors may need to avoid medicines with high levels of sodium. This can include Gaviscon or CanesOasis.
Many medications that are effervescent, dispersible or soluble use sodium to help the pills dissolve. The BHF recommends speaking to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicines alongside your ACE inhibitor.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
