ACE Inhibitors: What They Are, How They Work, and What You Need to Know

When your doctor prescribes a medication to lower your blood pressure, one of the most common choices is an ACE inhibitor, a type of drug that blocks an enzyme responsible for narrowing blood vessels, helping blood flow more easily and reducing strain on the heart. Also known as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, these drugs are used not just for high blood pressure but also to protect the kidneys in people with diabetes and to improve survival after a heart attack.

ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, a widely prescribed ACE inhibitor known for its affordability and effectiveness in treating hypertension and heart failure work by stopping your body from making angiotensin II, a chemical that tightens blood vessels. When that chemical is blocked, your vessels relax, your blood pressure drops, and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. These drugs are especially helpful for people with diabetes because they reduce protein loss in the urine, which slows kidney damage. Unlike some other blood pressure meds, ACE inhibitors rarely cause dizziness when you stand up, and they don’t usually make you feel tired—but they can cause a dry cough in about 1 in 5 people, which is why some switch to ARBs, a related class of drugs that block the same pathway but without the cough side effect.

What you won’t always hear is that ACE inhibitors aren’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re on one and your blood pressure isn’t budging, your doctor might add a diuretic or switch you to a calcium channel blocker. If you’re trying to save money, generic versions like lisinopril or enalapril cost far less than brand names—and in Mexico, prices are often a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S. But here’s the catch: if you’re taking an ACE inhibitor, you should avoid salt substitutes high in potassium, and never combine them with NSAIDs like ibuprofen without checking with your doctor. These interactions can spike your potassium levels or damage your kidneys.

The posts below cover real-world questions people actually ask: how lisinopril compares to other blood pressure drugs, what side effects to watch for, why some people switch to ARBs, and how cost and availability in Mexico make these medications more accessible than you think. You’ll also find practical advice on managing these drugs safely, spotting warning signs, and understanding what alternatives might work better for your body.