Angina Attack: First-Line Treatment and Essential Guidelines

When experiencing an acute angina attack, the first-line medication of choice is a nitrate, most commonly nitroglycerin. This drug works effectively by dilating blood vessels, particularly the coronary arteries. By expanding these narrowed arteries, nitroglycerin allows improved blood flow to the heart muscle, which helps alleviate the chest discomfort caused by myocardial ischemia.

An acute angina episode typically occurs during physical exertion or emotional stress and presents as sudden chest discomfort or pain, often accompanied by symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In such situations, sublingual (under the tongue) administration of nitroglycerin is the most rapid and convenient method to relieve symptoms and restore adequate blood flow to the heart.

Important Considerations Before Using Nitroglycerin

Check your blood pressure before taking nitroglycerin. If you are experiencing low blood pressure along with angina, using nitroglycerin could potentially worsen your condition by causing a further drop in blood pressure, which may lead to serious complications.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Help

If you take nitroglycerin sublingually up to three times at five-minute intervals and your symptoms do not improve, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. This lack of response could be a sign of a more severe condition, such as a heart attack (myocardial infarction), which requires urgent evaluation and treatment in a hospital setting.