Which factor is most associated with differential response to antihypertensive therapy in certain populations?

• A. Race/ethnicity
• B. Education level
• C. Body mass index
• D. Smoking status

Answer: (A)

Race/ethnicity captures genetic and physiologic differences that affect how antihypertensive drugs work in different people. These differences help explain why certain populations respond better to specific drug classes than others. For example, some groups with lower renin activity and salt sensitivity—often including many individuals of African descent—tend to achieve better blood pressure control with diuretics or calcium channel blockers, while responses to ACE inhibitors or ARBs may be less robust as monotherapy. Education level, body mass index, and smoking status influence overall cardiovascular risk and treatment adherence, but they do not reliably predict the pharmacologic response to antihypertensives across populations.