For a patient with hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia, which medication class is commonly used?

• A. Beta blockers
• B. Alpha blockers
• C. ACE inhibitors
• D. Calcium channel blockers

Answer: (B)

Alpha-adrenergic blockers address both conditions by relaxing smooth muscle in two key areas. In BPH, they block alpha-1 receptors in the bladder neck and prostatic urethra, reducing smooth muscle tone and easing urinary flow and symptoms. In hypertension, they dilate vascular smooth muscle, lowering peripheral resistance and reducing blood pressure. Because a single medication can improve urinary symptoms and help control blood pressure, this class is commonly used when a patient has both HTN and BPH.

Note that nonselective alpha-1 blockers (like older options used for both HTN and BPH) can cause more pronounced blood pressure drops and orthostatic hypotension, especially with the first dose, whereas more BPH-focused options (selective alpha-1A blockers) mainly affect the urinary tract with less BP impact. Other antihypertensive classes don’t address BPH symptoms, which is why they aren’t as fitting in a patient with both conditions.