Millions of people in the UK take ACE inhibitors such as ramipril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and perindopril to lower blood pressure. These medications widen blood vessels, easing strain on the heart. However, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) warns that certain foods and drugs can undermine their effectiveness and even cause harm.
Key Foods and Medicines to Avoid
The BHF advises patients to avoid three specific things: high-salt foods, NSAID painkillers, and medicines with high sodium content. Salty diets raise blood pressure over time, directly counteracting the ACE inhibitor's effects and putting extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Common high-salt foods listed by the BHF include cheese, breakfast cereals, canned soups, bread, pastries, pizzas, biscuits, cookies, cakes, processed meats like sausages, bacon, and ham, plus sauces such as gravy, ketchup, and soy sauce.
NSAIDs and Kidney Risk
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can interfere with how ACE inhibitors work. Both drugs affect blood flow to the kidneys, so taking them together may lead to kidney damage. Many over-the-counter painkillers fall into this category.
Sodium-Rich Medications
Medicines high in sodium, such as Gaviscon or CanesOasis, should also be avoided for the same reason as salty foods. Many effervescent, dispersible, or soluble tablets use sodium to dissolve. The BHF recommends speaking to a doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicine alongside an ACE inhibitor.
