Which medication class is commonly used to treat hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease?

ACE inhibitors are commonly used to treat hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to their unique mechanism of action and protective effects on the kidneys. They work by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which leads to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure. This not only helps in managing hypertension but also reduces the pressure within the glomeruli, which may slow down the progression of kidney disease.

In patients with CKD, especially those with diabetes or proteinuria, the use of ACE inhibitors has shown to provide renal protective benefits. They can reduce proteinuria, which is a significant marker of renal damage and progression of disease. The choice of ACE inhibitors in these patients helps manage hypertension while concurrently providing long-term benefits to kidney function, making them a preferred first-line treatment in this population.

Other classes of medications, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics, can also be used to manage hypertension but do not provide the same level of renal protection or reduction of proteinuria associated with ACE inhibitors.