Which drug class is commonly used to manage hypertension and can also create a risk of AV block?

Beta blockers are commonly used to manage hypertension by blocking the effects of adrenaline on beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart. This results in a decrease in heart rate and contractility, which helps to lower blood pressure. Additionally, beta blockers can reduce the speed of electrical conduction through the heart's atrioventricular (AV) node, which can increase the risk of developing an AV block, especially in patients who may have underlying conduction system abnormalities or are taking other medications that can reduce conduction.

While other drug classes are effective for managing hypertension, they do not typically have the same risk of causing AV block. Calcium channel blockers primarily work by relaxing blood vessels and reducing heart workload but are less associated with AV nodal conduction issues. ACE inhibitors focus on reducing the production of angiotensin II to promote vasodilation and decrease blood pressure without significantly impacting AV node conduction. Diuretics work by reducing fluid volume to lower blood pressure and also do not generally affect electrical conduction within the heart.

In summary, the association of beta blockers with the potential for AV block, due to their effects on heart conduction, makes this drug class uniquely notable among the options presented regarding the management of hypertension.