Which medication class is commonly referred to as ACE inhibitors?

ACE inhibitors, or Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors, are a class of medications primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and congestive heart failure. They work by blocking the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which leads to the relaxation of blood vessels and a reduction in blood pressure.

While beta-blockers, statins, and calcium channel blockers are also important classes of medications used for various cardiovascular conditions, they do not share the same mechanism of action or therapeutic profile as ACE inhibitors. Beta-blockers primarily decrease heart rate and the workload on the heart, statins are used to lower cholesterol levels, and calcium channel blockers help to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure through a different mechanism than ACE inhibitors.

Because ACE inhibitors are specifically designed to manage hypertension and are categorized among antihypertensives, identifying them as part of this class emphasizes their primary indication and differentiates them from other medication classes. This is why the choice that names them as antihypertensives is the most accurate and appropriate answer to the question.