Nitroglycerin is the drug of choice for patients who suffer with angina. If you are an individual who experiences attacks of angina this article will help you determine if nitroglycerin is the correct drug for you.
Instructions
Understanding Why Nitroglycerin is Prescribed?
1. Understand the relationship between angina and nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is the drug of choice in treating angina pectoris (commonly referred to as angina.) Nitroglycerin is used at the onset of an angina attack and also as a preventative. Angina is acute chest pain which results when there is a decreased blood oxygen flow to areas of the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of this condition. Deposits of cholesterol, calcium and other material may be found in excess amounts in the blood stream thus creating layers of plaque on the inside of artery walls. This buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, a medication used to dilate (or expand) blood vessels. When the coronary arteries are dilated the heart is not required to work as hard to pump the blood, thus requiring less blood flow and oxygen. This alleviates the chest pains.
2. Determine how you relate to three factors which affect how nitroglycerin is used: the type of angina from which you suffers, your other medical conditions or other prescription drugs you take, your daily activity or occupation.
3. Identify your type of angina. There are three types of Angina, stable angina, unstable angina and variant angina. Stable angina is the most common type from which most angina patients suffer. The chest pains occur at definite times, usually following exertion such as climbing a flight of stairs or sexual activity; it may also be brought on by acute stress. Nitroglycerin is very effective against this form of angina; one capsule is placed under the tongue or between the gum and cheek (buccal pouch) or a lingual spray is sprayed under or on the tongue. Relief should occur within 3 to 5 minutes. This dosage may be repeated three times within a fifteen minute period before seeking other help if the treatment fails. Variant angina occurs without any apparent cause, usually at night or in the early morning hours when the body is at rest. This type of angina is caused by coronary artery spasms at the site of the arterial hardening and may be accompanied by increased heartbeat. Quick relief from this type of angina is brought about by the ingestion of nitroglycerin. Unstable angina may also occur when the body is at rest or with very little exertion. The pain is more severe and long lasting during unstable angina and does not respond to the use of nitroglycerin.
4. Review your medical history. Another factor in the decision whether or not to take nitroglycerin for angina pain will be based on your medical history. Patients suffering from anemia, glaucoma or renal disease will be poor candidates for nitroglycerin. The use of any nitrate drug such as nitroglycerin can cause low blood pressure as the drugs action decreases the effort needed to pump blood through the heart. Patients taking medication for impotency, such as sildenafil should also avoid the use of nitroglycerin; the combined use of the two types of drugs may cause serious hypotension.
5. Determine your lifestyle. Nitroglycerin as a treatment for angina would be contraindicated in patients with occupations involving driving and the use of machinery as it may cause dizziness and vertigo. Persons ingesting nitroglycerin should not make sudden movements or rise from a sitting position quickly; this will minimize wooziness or lightheadedness and the risk of losing one’s balance.
