A smoker being treated for hypertension with a beta-blocker is most likely receiving which type?

The patient being treated for hypertension with a beta-blocker is most likely receiving a beta 1-specific blocker because these medications primarily target the beta 1 adrenergic receptors found in the heart. The activation of beta 1 receptors leads to increased heart rate and contractility, whereas blocking these receptors decreases heart rate, reduces cardiac output, and helps lower blood pressure, making them effective for managing hypertension.

For smokers, it is particularly beneficial to use beta 1-specific blockers because they minimize potential adverse effects on the lungs and do not affect the beta 2 receptors, which are found in the bronchi. Nonspecific beta-blockers, which block both beta 1 and beta 2 receptors, could lead to pulmonary complications such as bronchospasm in patients with underlying respiratory conditions, which is a concern for smokers. Alpha 1 blockers would work through a different mechanism by causing vasodilation and are not typically the first-line agents for treating hypertension when beta-blockers are preferred. Therefore, beta 1-specific blockers are the ideal choice for managing hypertension in this patient population.