How do beta-blockers primarily help manage hypertension?

Beta-blockers primarily help manage hypertension by reducing heart rate and workload on the heart. They achieve this by blocking the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) on beta-adrenergic receptors, which leads to a decrease in heart rate and myocardial contractility. This reduction in heart rate results in lower cardiac output, which is beneficial for controlling high blood pressure. Additionally, by decreasing the workload of the heart, beta-blockers help prevent complications associated with chronic hypertension, such as heart failure and coronary artery disease.

While effectiveness in regulating blood volume and blood vessel dilation can influence overall blood pressure, these mechanisms are not the primary actions of beta-blockers. Instead, beta-blockers specifically target the cardiovascular responses to stress hormones, which directly impacts heart rate and workload.