Which patient is most likely to benefit from an ACE inhibitor?

An ACE inhibitor is particularly beneficial for a patient with systolic dysfunction heart failure. This class of medication works by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which helps reduce the production of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. In heart failure, especially with systolic dysfunction, the heart's ability to pump blood is compromised, leading to fluid build-up and increased workload on the heart.

By administering an ACE inhibitor to a patient with this condition, there can be significant improvements in symptoms, exercise tolerance, and overall cardiac function. These medications help in decreasing the workload on the heart by lowering blood pressure and reducing fluid retention, thus improving outcomes in patients with heart failure. Moreover, ACE inhibitors have been shown to reduce mortality in this patient population, making them an essential part of the treatment plan.

The other patients listed do not exhibit conditions that would typically warrant ACE inhibitor therapy. For example, a patient with asthma may be at risk for potential complications due to the associated bronchiospasm, while a patient with normal blood pressure does not require blood pressure-lowering meds. Similarly, while controlled hypertension may benefit from various treatments, it does not necessarily indicate the same urgency or benefit that a patient with heart failure would experience