The fast treatment for angina involves using nitrate pills or sprays, particularly nitroglycerin, as they act quickly to relieve chest pain.
Nitrates work by widening and relaxing blood vessels, which achieves two important goals:
- Reduces workload on the heart: By relaxing the blood vessels, nitrates decrease the effort the heart needs to pump blood, thus reducing the stress it experiences.
- Increases blood flow to the heart muscle: By widening blood vessels, nitrates ensure that more oxygen-rich blood reaches the heart muscle, thus alleviating the pain associated with angina.
Here's a summary of how nitrates work during an angina attack:
| Action | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Widens blood vessels | Reduces heart's workload |
| Relaxes blood vessels | Increases blood flow to the heart |
| Rapid acting (pills/sprays) | Provides quick relief from angina pain during an attack |
If you are unable to take beta-blockers for long-term angina management, long-acting nitrates might be a suitable alternative. However, for immediate relief during an angina event, nitrate pills or sprays are the preferred option due to their fast action.
