Final answer:
For a patient on diltiazem and HCTZ, atorvastatin would be the most appropriate choice for starting moderate-intensity statin therapy due to a lower risk of drug interactions compared to simvastatin or lovastatin.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the most appropriate moderate-intensity statin treatment for a 67-year-old man with hypertension who is currently being treated with diltiazem (a calcium channel blocker) and HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide), we need to consider drug interactions and the individual patient's health status. Both simvastatin and lovastatin should be used with caution in patients taking diltiazem, as the combination may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis due to higher levels of the statin in the blood. Therefore, among the options listed, atorvastatin would be the most appropriate choice for starting a moderate-intensity statin therapy in this patient, as it is less likely to interact significantly with diltiazem, making it a safer option.