Final answer:
ACE INH refers to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, a class of medications used to lower high blood pressure by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication class represented by the abbreviation ACE INH stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These medications function primarily to lower blood pressure in people who have hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure. ACE inhibitors work by blocking the ACE enzyme from converting angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor that increases blood pressure. By mitigating the production of angiotensin II, these drugs effectively reduce blood pressure.
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation. This system can be influenced by ACE inhibitors which prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, thus reducing vasoconstriction, aldosterone release, and water retention, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.