Ramipril

Ramipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor that lowers blood pressure and reduces cardiovascular risk by limiting formation of angiotensin II.

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Angiotensin-converting enzyme: An enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II and breaks down bradykinin. Ramipril inhibits this enzyme, reducing angiotensin II formation and bradykinin breakdown.
Hypertension: Persistently elevated arterial blood pressure that increases the risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Ramipril is commonly used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Angiotensin II receptor blocker: A medicine that blocks angiotensin II receptors to reduce vasoconstriction and related hormonal effects. ARBs target the same hormonal pathway without inhibiting bradykinin breakdown.
Prodrug: A compound converted in the body into a pharmacologically active drug. Ramipril is converted to ramiprilat, its active form.
Renin–angiotensin system: A hormonal system that regulates blood pressure, fluid balance, and vascular tone. Ramipril interrupts one of this system’s main pathways for raising blood pressure.
Heart failure: A clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot meet the body's needs without elevated filling pressures. Ramipril can reduce strain on the heart and improve outcomes in selected patients with heart failure.
Aliskiren: A direct renin inhibitor that reduces the formation of angiotensin I. Aliskiren acts upstream of ramipril’s enzyme target in the renin–angiotensin system.
Ramiprilat: The active metabolite of ramipril that inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme. This metabolite produces most of ramipril’s sustained enzyme inhibition.
Angiotensin II: A peptide hormone that constricts blood vessels and promotes sodium retention and aldosterone release. Lower production of this hormone accounts for much of ramipril’s blood-pressure effect.
Myocardial infarction: Heart-muscle injury caused by prolonged inadequate blood flow, usually after a coronary artery blockage. After a heart attack, ramipril may reduce cardiovascular complications in appropriate patients.