Healthy Wintering Program
Nitroglycerin, a seemingly ordinary medicine, can save lives at a critical moment. However, without knowing how to use it correctly, nitroglycerin may not work as well as it should, even in the critical moment of a heart attack, and may even pose a danger. This article will detail the precautions for nitroglycerin use to ensure that you can use it properly in an emergency.
1. Understand the role of nitroglycerin.
Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that acts primarily on the coronary arteries and veins to reduce symptoms of myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. When a heart attack occurs, heart muscle cells need more oxygen and nutrients to function properly, while narrowing or occlusion of the coronary arteries can lead to myocardial ischemia. At this time, nitroglycerin can dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the coronary arteries, thereby relieving symptoms of myocardial ischemia.
However, nitroglycerin is not a rescue medicine for all people with heart disease. It is mainly used for angina, for other types of heart disease, such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, etc., nitroglycerin does not play a first-aid role. Therefore, before using nitroglycerin, it is important to know its indications and contraindications.
2. Correct use of nitroglycerin.
Timing of medication. Before using nitroglycerin, it is important to understand when to take it. Nitroglycerin is mainly used in the first aid of angina attacks. When you experience angina symptoms such as chest tightness and chest pain, you can immediately take one nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. However, it should be noted that the time of taking nitroglycerin should not be too long, generally no more than three minutes, and repeated every five minutes or so. If symptoms do not resolve after taking the drug, it may be due to the drug not reaching the lesion or the dose is insufficient, and medical attention should be sought immediately.
Avoid accidental ingestion. Nitroglycerin cannot be swallowed directly and must be swallowed under the tongue to exert its effects. If taken with water or swallowed directly, the drug will be broken down by stomach acid, which will reduce the efficacy. Therefore, it is important to follow the correct medication method when using nitroglycerin.
Storage: Nitroglycerin is prone to decomposition and failure when exposed to light, so it should be stored in a dark bottle. At the same time, avoid placing nitroglycerin in the same place as other medicines or foods to avoid accidental ingestion or contamination.
3. Pay attention to the *** and contraindications of nitroglycerin.
Risk of hypotension.
Nitroglycerin has the effect of dilating blood vessels, which may cause a drop in blood pressure. For people with low blood pressure, the use of nitroglycerin may worsen the condition and even be life-threatening. Therefore, blood pressure should be measured before nitroglycerin is used, and if blood pressure is too low (generally less than 90 to 60 mmHg), it should be used with caution or avoided.
Headaches, etc
Some patients may experience headache, dizziness, etc. after using nitroglycerin***These symptoms are generally mild and do not require special treatment, but if the symptoms continue to worsen or affect daily life, they should seek medical attention in time.
Contraindication. Nitroglycerin has certain contraindications. For example, in people with glaucoma, the use of nitroglycerin may worsen the elevated intraocular pressure;In patients with anemia, nitroglycerin may worsen anemia symptoms. Therefore, before using nitroglycerin, it is important to know its contraindications and follow the doctor's recommendations.
Fourth, summary. As a common first-aid medicine, nitroglycerin seems to be simple and easy to understand, but there are still many details that need to be paid attention to during use. Know its effects, indications and contraindications before use;Use it properly in an emergency;At the same time, pay attention to the hypotension and contraindications that it may bring. Only in this way can we ensure that nitroglycerin can be used to its maximum effect at critical moments, and that precious treatment time can be bought for heart disease patients.