For stable angina, which medication is commonly used to relieve symptoms?

For stable angina, which medication is commonly used to relieve symptoms?

• A. Oxygen
• B. Beta blockers
• C. Nitroglycerin
• D. Aspirin

Answer: (C)

Relieving stable angina symptoms hinges on rapidly lowering myocardial oxygen demand while improving oxygen supply. Nitroglycerin is the classic agent for this because it releases nitric oxide, causing smooth muscle relaxation. It dilates veins more than arteries, which lowers preload and reduces left ventricular wall stress, cutting oxygen demand quickly. It also causes some coronary vasodilation to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. The effect is fast and short-lived, making nitroglycerin the go-to option for immediate symptom relief in stable angina. Oxygen is reserved for patients with low blood oxygen levels; giving it routinely to all stable-angina patients doesn’t provide symptom relief and isn’t indicated for those without hypoxemia. Beta blockers help prevent episodes and reduce heart rate and contractility over time, lowering oxygen demand, but they don’t relieve an ongoing anginal attack as rapidly as nitroglycerin. Aspirin reduces the risk of clot-related events and is important for long-term prevention, but it does not acutely relieve current chest pain.

Relieving stable angina symptoms hinges on rapidly lowering myocardial oxygen demand while improving oxygen supply. Nitroglycerin is the classic agent for this because it releases nitric oxide, causing smooth muscle relaxation. It dilates veins more than arteries, which lowers preload and reduces left ventricular wall stress, cutting oxygen demand quickly. It also causes some coronary vasodilation to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. The effect is fast and short-lived, making nitroglycerin the go-to option for immediate symptom relief in stable angina.

Oxygen is reserved for patients with low blood oxygen levels; giving it routinely to all stable-angina patients doesn’t provide symptom relief and isn’t indicated for those without hypoxemia. Beta blockers help prevent episodes and reduce heart rate and contractility over time, lowering oxygen demand, but they don’t relieve an ongoing anginal attack as rapidly as nitroglycerin. Aspirin reduces the risk of clot-related events and is important for long-term prevention, but it does not acutely relieve current chest pain.