Which drugs are primarily used to prevent strokes and heart attacks?

Anticoagulants are primarily used to prevent strokes and heart attacks by inhibiting the blood's ability to clot. This class of medications works by interfering with various steps in the coagulation cascade or by inhibiting specific clotting factors. By reducing the formation of clots, anticoagulants decrease the risk of thrombotic events, which are key contributors to strokes and heart attacks.

While antihypertensives can also play a role in cardiovascular health by managing high blood pressure, their primary function is not directly related to preventing clots. Analgesics, primarily used for pain relief, and antibiotics, which fight bacterial infections, are not relevant in the context of preventing strokes and heart attacks. Therefore, anticoagulants are the most appropriate choice for this purpose due to their specific action in the management of thromboembolic risks.