Which medication class includes "-sartans" and is used for heart failure?

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

Answer: (B)

The class of medications that includes the suffix "-sartans" refers to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). These medications are primarily used to manage conditions such as high blood pressure and heart failure. They work by blocking the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that can constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. This action helps to relax blood vessels, improve blood flow, and reduce the workload on the heart, making them effective in treating heart failure.

In heart failure, particularly with preserved or reduced ejection fraction, ARBs are often utilized to improve symptoms and outcomes. They are especially beneficial in patients who may develop cough or angioedema from ACE inhibitors, another class of heart failure drugs that function differently.

The other medication classes mentioned, such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers, have specific roles and mechanisms but do not share the "-sartan" nomenclature or the same function in this specific context as ARBs do in the management of heart failure.