What Is Capoten Used For?

People with certain heart or blood vessel conditions may wonder, "What is Capoten used for?" This prescription medicine is commonly used for treating high blood pressure and symptoms of congestive heart failure. Capoten can also be used to treat diabetic nephropathy and may be administered following a heart attack to improve survival and decrease the chances of developing congestive heart failure.

Capoten Medication

What Is Capoten Used For? -- An Overview

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

Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension)
Relieving symptoms of congestive heart failure
Improving survival and decreasing the chances of developing congestive heart failure following a heart attack
Treating diabetic nephropathy.

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 is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90 with multiple blood pressure readings.

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

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition where 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, Capoten decreases blood pressure, which makes the heart more efficient and allows more blood to be pumped from the heart. These effects of Captopril can 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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