What medication class is commonly prescribed for hypertension?

The correct answer is ACE inhibitors, which are commonly prescribed for the management of hypertension. ACE inhibitors work by preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This action leads to relaxation of blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure. In addition to their role in lowering blood pressure, ACE inhibitors also offer benefits in protecting kidney function, especially in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

While beta blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers are also effective in treating hypertension, ACE inhibitors are particularly prevalent in clinical practice due to their favorable side effect profile and additional cardiovascular and renal protective effects. Each of these other classes has specific indications and mechanisms but generally do not have the same broad range of protective benefits as ACE inhibitors when it comes to managing hypertension.