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Heart Attack Medicine: Taking Nitroglycerin
Heart Attack Medicine: Taking NitroglycerinNitroglycerin is sometimes prescribed after a heart attack to help relieve chest pain, also called “angina.”If taken correctly, it can reduce the severity and duration of an angina attack.If you have questions about nitroglycerin, ask your healthcare team.Nitroglycerin may come as a pill, spray, capsules, ointment or patch.The medicine works by causing your arteries to relax and widen. This increases the amount of blood that canflow through your coronary arteries, so your heart can get more oxygen. This can help reduce or eliminatechest pain.Nitroglycerin should be taken at the first sign of chest pain.Dr. Ali Tabrizchi, LifeBridge Health Cardiovascular Institute“Nitroglycerin is a medication that dilates the veins that bring our blood to the heart. It takes away thesymptoms by also dilating your coronary arteries. This will allow the patients to feel better and haveless chest pain or shortness of breath. “It’s important to take nitroglycerin as soon as possible after the first symptoms appear.Symptoms can include chest discomfort, pain in other areas of your body like one or both arms, your back,neck, jaw or stomach, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, an irregular heartbeat, or feeling like you aregoing to pass out.If you experience any of these symptoms, stop what you are doing immediately. Sit or lie down and place thenitroglycerin tablet under your tongue. Wait 5 minutes for the medicine to work.If angina pain continues after the first dose, two more doses may be taken, five minutes apart. Most peoplerespond within five minutes of taking nitroglycerin. Sometimes more doses are necessary at five-minuteintervals over a 15-minute time period.If your pain isn’t relieved after taking three doses, you or a family member should call 911 immediately so youcan get to the hospital right away.Tell the emergency personnel about your symptoms and any medicines you are on, including that you tookyour nitroglycerin.They may tell you to chew an aspirin.Aspirin can help reduce the damage caused by a heart attack because it reduces your blood’s ability to clot.It’s a good idea to keep some in the house just in case.Even if you feel better after taking your nitroglycerin, let your healthcare provider know.Page 1 ofDr. Ali Tabrizchi, LifeBridge Health Cardiovascular Institute“After taking the nitro you would certainly need to communicate your symptoms with your cardiologistor primary care physician.”Knowing when and how to take your medicine can help save your life. If you have questions about yourNitroglycerin, do not hesitate to ask your cardiac care team.Page 2 ofThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
Heart & Vascular Center
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