Difference Between Ace Inhibitors and Beta Blockers

The key difference between Ace inhibitors and Beta blockers is the mode of action of each medication. Ace inhibitors prevent the conversion of Angiotensin I into Angiotensin II, thereby preventing the formation of Angiotensin II. In contrast, beta blockers inhibit the binding of norepinephrine and epinephrine to beta-adrenoreceptors, weakening the effect of stress hormones.

Ace inhibitors and Beta blockers are two types of medications suitable for patients who suffer from high blood pressure and several heart-related conditions. Furthermore, ace inhibitors increase the survival of patients after a heart attack. On the other hand, beta blockers can treat patients who have abnormal heart rhythms, chest pain (angina), tremors, etc. Hence, both of these drugs are good for your heart health.

CONTENT

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Ace Inhibitors 
3. What are Beta Blockers
4. Similarities Between Ace Inhibitors and Beta Blockers
5. Side by Side Comparison – Ace Inhibitors vs Beta Blockers in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What are Ace Inhibitors?

Ace refers to angiotensin converting enzymes. They are a part of renin-angiotensin system.  Ace or angiotensin converting enzymes convert Angiotensin I into Angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes narrowing of blood vessels, increasing the blood pressure. Moreover, Angiotensin II stimulates the secretion of aldosterone, which increases the reabsorption of sodium and water into blood. Ultimately, these factors result in increased pressure inside blood vessels. Ace inhibitors are inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzymes. They reduce the formation of Angiotensin II. Hence, Ace inhibitors are prescribed for patients with high blood pressure and heart failure. They are highly useful medications for diseases such as stroke, diabetes-related kidney damages, etc. To be specific, these medications include Captopril, Quinapril, Lisinopril, Benezepril, and Enalapril, etc.

Figure 01: Ace Inhibitors

Although Ace inhibitors are highly effective medicines, they also possess side effects such as cough, skin rashes, change in taste, swelling of mouth, throat, and face.

What are Beta Blockers?

Beta blockers are a medication given to patients who suffer from cardiac conditions such as angina, arrhythmias, heart failure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, and hypertension. Furthermore, beta blockers are suitable for people who have anxiety, migraines, certain types of tremors, and glaucoma. They are a very effective drug for patients after a heart attack to reduce the risk of death.

There are three types of beta receptors namely beta 1 receptors, beta 2 receptors, and beta 3 receptors. Beta blockers antagonistically act on these beta-adrenoreceptors. Furthermore, they prevent the binding of neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine to their receptors. When the bonding is blocked, it weakens the effect of stress hormones. This, in turn, reduces the stress on certain parts of the body such as heart, blood vessels, etc.

Figure 02: Beta Blocker

Beta blockers include Acebutolol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Metoprolol, Nadolol, Nebivolol, Propranolol. However, they can cause side effects such as dizziness, cold hands and feet, weight gain, and fatigue.

What are the Similarities Between Ace Inhibitors and Beta Blockers?

• Both are medications to treat high blood pressure.
• They both are highly effective medications.
• They dilate the blood vessels.
• Both drugs are good for heart health.

What is the Difference Between Ace Inhibitors and Beta Blockers?

Ace inhibitors are a type of drug that prevents the action of angiotensin-converting enzymes. In contrast, beta blockers are a type of drug that blocks the binding of epinephrine and norepinephrine to beta-adrenoreceptors. The former acts by preventing the formation of aldosterone, while the latter acts by inhibiting the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine. This is the main difference between ace inhibitors and beta blockers. Moreover, ace inhibitors dilate blood vessels and increase fluid loss through urination while beta blockers relax heart rate and dilate blood vessels.

Furthermore, ace inhibitors can treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, diabetes-related kidney damages, etc. Beta blockers, on the other hand, treat conditions such as angina, arrhythmias, heart failure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, migraines, certain types of tremors and glaucoma. Captopril, Quinapril, Lisinopril, Benazepril, and Enalapril are examples of ace inhibitors while Acebutolol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Metoprolol, Nadolol, Nebivolol, Propranolol are examples of beta blockers.

Summary – Ace Inhibitors vs Beta Blockers

To sum up, ace inhibitors and beta blockers are two types of effective drugs which are good for your heart health. The first drug prevents the formation of angiotensin II. The second drug blocks the binding of neurotransmitters to beta-adrenoreceptors. This is the main difference between ace inhibitors and beta blockers. However, both of these drugs can cause side effects when taken for a long time.

Reference:

1.“Beta Blockers.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Apr. 2018, Available here.
2. “ACE Inhibitors vs. Beta Blockers: Facts & Side Effects for Hypertension Drugs.” MedicineNet, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Figure 3A” by Libertas Academica (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Propranolol-2D-skeletal” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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