What is the primary use of antihypertensive medications?

Antihypertensive medications are primarily used to control high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. These medications play a critical role in managing blood pressure levels to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and other complications that can arise from uncontrolled hypertension. They work through various mechanisms, depending on the specific class of antihypertensive agents used, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and others.

The goal of these medications is to maintain blood pressure within a normal range, thereby helping to protect the cardiovascular system and overall health. While the other treatment focuses mentioned, such as treating arrhythmias, reducing angina attacks, and managing diabetes, involve important therapeutic areas in medicine, they do not specifically address the primary function of antihypertensive medications, which is to lower and control blood pressure.