Patient was educated on side effects of ACE inhibitor use as follows:
- Dehydration
- ACE inhibitors by inhibiting secretion of Aldosterone, result in water loss from the body. This can lead to fluid volume depletion and symptoms of dehydration.
- Low sodium levels
- ACE inhibitors by inhibiting secretion of Aldosterone, result in sodium loss from the body. This can lead to hyponatremia (low sodium levels in blood).
- Hypotension
- Excessive loss of sodium and fluid volume from the body can result in very low blood pressure levels.
- Reduced blood flow to end organs
- Deficient fluid volume in the body contributes to reduced blood volume and can lead to reduced blood flow to end organs, such as, heart, kidney, and brain. Long-term continuation of these symptoms can result in episodes of acute chest pain due to reduced blood supply to heart muscle, acute renal failure, and stroke.
- High potassium levels
- ACE inhibitors tend to retain potassium in the body, in exchange for sodium loss. This can lead to high potassium levels, which can be very dangerous at times.
