[Angiotensin II antagonists versus ACE inhibitors in the treatment of raised blood pressure]

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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion
08:35

Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion

Published on: May 26, 2022

R S Andersen1, S Christensen

  • 1Københavns Universitet, Farmakologisk Institut.

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|January 17, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists and ACE inhibitors similarly lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. ACE inhibitors cause more coughs, making antagonists a potential alternative for those with side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Renin-angiotensin system blockade is key in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy.
  • Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors show proven benefits in reducing mortality and morbidity.
  • Angiotensin II receptor antagonists lack extensive long-term outcome data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the therapeutic effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonists versus ACE inhibitors.
  • To evaluate efficacy and safety in patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 comparative studies.
  • Studies included patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension and had a duration up to one year.

Main Results:

  • Both angiotensin II receptor antagonists and ACE inhibitors demonstrated similar blood pressure-lowering effects.
  • Both drug classes exhibited a low incidence of side effects.
  • A higher incidence of cough was observed with ACE inhibitors compared to angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

Conclusions:

  • Angiotensin II receptor antagonists offer comparable blood pressure control to ACE inhibitors.
  • Angiotensin II receptor antagonists may be a suitable alternative for hypertensive patients experiencing unacceptable side effects, such as cough, with ACE inhibitors.
  • Larger, long-term studies are needed to establish definitive mortality and morbidity benefits for angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

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