What is the expected effect of antihypertensive medications?

Antihypertensive medications are specifically designed to lower blood pressure in individuals diagnosed with hypertension. These medications work through various mechanisms, such as relaxing blood vessels, reducing cardiac output, and decreasing the volume of blood in the circulatory system. By targeting these aspects, antihypertensive agents effectively help in stabilizing blood pressure levels, which is crucial for preventing complications associated with high blood pressure, such as heart attacks and strokes.

The other options pertain to different physiological effects not associated with the primary aim of antihypertensives. For instance, increasing blood volume is contrary to the goal of managing hypertension, while stabilizing heart rhythm involves antiarrhythmic medications rather than antihypertensives. Enhancing lung function is related to medications like bronchodilators used in respiratory conditions, rather than to antihypertensives.