What is a common first-line treatment for heart failure?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly considered a first-line treatment for heart failure due to their proven benefits in improving symptoms, reducing hospitalizations, and enhancing overall survival for patients with heart failure, particularly those with reduced ejection fraction. ACE inhibitors work by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This action leads to vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, and reduced cardiac workload, all critical factors in managing heart failure. Additionally, these medications help to mitigate the harmful neurohormonal responses often seen in heart failure, allowing for improved cardiac function and lower fluid retention.

While diuretics also play a crucial role in the management of heart failure, particularly in addressing fluid overload and edema, they do not target the underlying pathophysiological processes as effectively as ACE inhibitors. Calcium channel blockers are generally not used as a first-line treatment for heart failure due to their potential to exacerbate heart failure by reducing cardiac contractility, and beta-adrenergic agonists are typically reserved for acute settings rather than long-term management in stable heart failure. Thus, ACE inhibitors represent an integral part of the standard treatment protocol for heart failure.