Which medication class is primarily used for hypertension?

The medication class that is primarily used for hypertension includes ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, work by relaxing blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure. They inhibit the enzyme responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels. By blocking this enzyme, ACE inhibitors effectively reduce the amount of angiotensin II in the bloodstream, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure levels.

While diuretics and beta blockers are also commonly used to manage hypertension, ACE inhibitors directly target the hormonal pathways that regulate blood pressure more specifically. Diuretics help reduce blood volume by eliminating excess sodium and water through urine but may not target the underlying mechanisms that cause hypertension as directly as ACE inhibitors. Beta blockers work by decreasing heart rate and the force of contraction, which can also lower blood pressure, but they are often used when there are additional heart-related conditions present. Anticoagulants, on the other hand, are primarily used to prevent blood clots and are not indicated for the treatment of hypertension.