Angina attack, should you choose nitroglycerin or fast acting heart pills? The pharmacist tells you

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-12

On a cold winter night, Mr. Zhang, a retired bank clerk, suddenly felt a sharp pressure in his chest, as if a mountain was pressing on his chest, making him almost breathless. His wife panicked and scrambled to remember the family's usual cardiac emergency medicines, nitroglycerin and fast-acting heart killers. But at this critical juncture, she hesitated: which medicine should she give her husband the fastest and most effective life-saving action?

This is not only a problem for Mr. Zhang's family, but also for many patients and families who are threatened by angina. Angina pectoris, as a precursor to coronary heart diseaseThe onset was a wake-up call that we must act now. However, at this critical juncture, the right choice is crucial.

Why does nitroglycerin relieve chest pain in minutes? How do fast-acting heart pills protect our hearts? In the shadow of angina, every right choice of medication can be the difference between life and death.

Emergency rescuers of the heart

When angina strikes without warning, nitroglycerin is the rescuer you desperately need. As a long-trusted drug, nitroglycerin relieves chest pain symptoms by rapidly dilating blood vessels, reducing the workload on the heart. Its ability to quickly relieve angina pectoris makes it an indispensable medicine in the first aid kit for patients with heart disease.

The science of rapid relief

The mechanism of action of nitroglycerin is based on its direct dilating effect on blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries. When nitroglycerin enters the body, it rapidly reduces the heart's oxygen needsand increases blood flow to the heart, which quickly relieves chest pain caused by ischemia. In addition, nitroglycerin can also reduce the preload and afterload of the heart, further reducing the burden on the heart.

Proper use: critical steps

The key to the effective application of nitroglycerin lies in its use. At the time of an angina attack, nitroglycerin spray should be sprayed under the tongue or tablet should be placed under the tongueto ensure fast absorption. In general, if symptoms do not resolve within 5 minutes, it can be reused. However, it is important to limit use to a maximum of three times in 15 minutes in case blood pressure is too low.

Considerations: Safety comes first

While nitroglycerin is a powerful tool for angina first aid, its use is not without risks. The most common*** include headaches, drop in blood pressure, and facial flushing. In particular, nitroglycerin is absolutely contraindicated if a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (such as some drugs for erectile dysfunction) is being used, as this can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

In addition, nitroglycerin should be avoided in patients with severe anemia, angle-closure glaucoma, severe hypotension, or a history of increased intracranial pressure. Before using nitroglycerin,Consultation with a doctor or pharmacist about the indications and contraindications for personal use of the drug is a necessary step to ensure safe use.

Fast-acting heart pills: another line of options for angina

In the field of angina, fast-acting heart pills are widely regarded as an effective alternative to nitroglycerin. This medication is preferred by patients because of its quick action, ease of portability, and use. Quick-acting heart pills mainly relieve pain by dilating the coronary arteries, improving the blood supply to the heart and reducing the burden on the heart. Different from the single mechanism of nitroglycerin, fast-acting Xingxin pills usually contain a variety of ingredients, such as salvia, deer antler velvet, etc., the combined effect of these ingredients can not only relieve angina symptoms, but also have a certain protective effect on heart function.

Usage and precautions

In the event of an angina attack, the use of fast-acting pills is relatively simple. **It is usually recommended to chew 1 to 2 tablets to speed up the action. However, for the use of fast-acting heart pills, the following points should still be noted:

Dose control:Follow your doctor's instructions and do not increase the dose or frequency arbitrarily to avoid adverse reactions.

Patients with chronic diseases:Patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension and abnormal glucose metabolism should consult their doctor before using the fast-acting heart pill to ensure that there are no adverse interactions between the drugs.

Warning: Although the fast-acting heart pill is safe for most patients, there may still be slight dizziness and redness******, especially if the first-time user should be accompanied by family members.

When faced with an angina attack, the choice between nitroglycerin or fast-acting heart pills is a problem faced by many patients. Both drugs are effective in relieving anginaHowever, there are differences in their mechanism of action, indications and occasions of use.

Understand the differences and make choices

Speed of action:Nitroglycerin usually works faster than fast-acting pills and is suitable for rapid relief of symptoms during an acute angina attack.

Duration of Action:The effect of fast-acting pills is relatively long-lasting, and it is suitable for preventing angina attacks and relieving symptoms for a long time.

Indications: nitroglycerin may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, etc. *** Not suitable for some patients. Fast-acting heart pills are because they contain a variety of ingredientsConsideration needs to be given to whether the patient is allergic to certain ingredients.

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