Which medication class decreases blood pressure?

• A. Beta blockers
• B. ACE inhibitors
• C. Diuretics
• D. Vasodilators

Answer: (A)

Beta blockers lower blood pressure by dampening the heart’s response to sympathetic stimulation. By blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, they slow the heart rate and reduce the force of heart contractions, which lowers cardiac output. They also decrease renin release from the kidneys, reducing angiotensin II formation and helping relax blood vessels. This combination lowers overall blood pressure. Other classes listed work through different mechanisms—ACE inhibitors prevent angiotensin II formation, diuretics reduce blood volume, and vasodilators relax vascular smooth muscle—but the way beta blockers achieve the BP decrease via reduced heart rate/contractility and suppressed renin release makes them the best choice in this context.