Which medication is more likely to be used to treat hypertension rather than hyperlipidemia?

Which medication is more likely to be used to treat hypertension rather than hyperlipidemia?

• A. Simvastatin
• B. Losartan
• C. Gemfibrozil
• D. Cholestyramine

Answer: (B)

Losartan is the medication most suited for hypertension because it is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that lowers blood pressure by preventing angiotensin II–mediated vasoconstriction and aldosterone release. This directly reduces vascular resistance and blood volume, addressing hypertension rather than lipid abnormalities. The other drugs here are lipid-focused therapies: simvastatin inhibits cholesterol synthesis to lower LDL; gemfibrozil lowers triglycerides (and can raise HDL); cholestyramine binds bile acids to reduce LDL. None of these primarily treat high blood pressure, which is why losartan is the best choice for an antihypertensive indication.

Losartan is the medication most suited for hypertension because it is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that lowers blood pressure by preventing angiotensin II–mediated vasoconstriction and aldosterone release. This directly reduces vascular resistance and blood volume, addressing hypertension rather than lipid abnormalities.

The other drugs here are lipid-focused therapies: simvastatin inhibits cholesterol synthesis to lower LDL; gemfibrozil lowers triglycerides (and can raise HDL); cholestyramine binds bile acids to reduce LDL. None of these primarily treat high blood pressure, which is why losartan is the best choice for an antihypertensive indication.