Which class of medications is commonly prescribed for hypertension and helps relax blood vessels?

ACE inhibitors are a class of medications that are specifically designed to treat hypertension by relaxing blood vessels. They work by blocking the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which plays a key role in the body's blood pressure regulation. By inhibiting ACE, these medications reduce the production of angiotensin II, a substance that normally causes blood vessels to constrict. As a result, blood vessels relax and widen, leading to decreased blood pressure and improved blood flow.

While beta-blockers, another class of antihypertensive medications, can also lower blood pressure, their primary function is to reduce heart rate and the heart's workload rather than directly relaxing blood vessels. Anticoagulants are medications that help prevent blood clots and do not primarily target blood pressure management. Antidepressants are used to treat mood disorders and have no direct role in managing hypertension. Thus, ACE inhibitors are uniquely suited for the purpose of relaxing blood vessels and controlling high blood pressure.