Elevated ACE Levels: Understanding Causes & Implications

The body's angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) helps regulate blood pressure. ACE levels might be tested to determine a variety of conditions, with elevated ACE often indicating the presence of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease.

Fact

• Endothelial cells inside blood vessels produce ACE throughout the body, although the enzyme is particularly concentrated in the lungs. ACE is also prevalent around granulomas, which are small tumor-like masses of immune and anti-inflammatory cells.

Function

• ACE causes arteries to contract and increase blood pressure.

Identification

• A simple blood test is all that's needed to evaluate ACE levels. Symptoms such as granulomas, chronic cough, watery eyes, shortness of breath and joint pain combined with elevated ACE are typically used to diagnose sarcoidosis.

Effects

• Elevated ACE levels are normal in people younger than 20. In people older than 20, elevated ACE levels are indicative of not only sarcoidosis but other conditions such as certain fungal diseases, hyperthyroidism, lymphoma, alcoholic cirrhosis and even HIV.

Considerations

• People suffering from hypertension and diabetes will often be prescribed ACE inhibitors, which are prescription drugs designed to lower ACE levels and reduce blood pressure.