Captopril Uses

Several conditions related to the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys can be treated with captopril. Uses may include the relief of congestive heart failure symptoms, treatment for diabetic nephropathy, and high blood pressure control. Following a heart attack, regular captopril uses can also help improve survival and decrease the risk of developing symptoms of congestive heart failure.

Captopril Medication

An Introduction to Captopril Uses

Captopril (Capoten^®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat a number of conditions. These captopril uses include:

High blood pressure control
Relief of symptoms of congestive heart failure
Treatment following a heart attack to improve survival and decrease the chances of developing congestive heart failure
Diabetic nephropathy treatment.

High Blood Pressure

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined an average blood pressure higher than 140/90 with multiple blood pressure readings.

Based on clinical studies, captopril has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The higher the dose of captopril, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By lowering blood pressure, captopril can decrease the risks that occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). However, Captopril is not a cure for high blood pressure.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. It does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way that it should.

For people with congestive heart failure, captopril decreases blood pressure, which makes the heart more efficient and allows more blood to be pumped from the heart. These effects of captopril cause a decrease in the symptoms of congestive heart failure, including shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling, along with improved exercise tolerance and decreased hospitalizations.

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