Which treatment is commonly used for angina?

Nitroglycerin is commonly used for the treatment of angina because it acts as a vasodilator, which helps to relieve chest pain associated with angina episodes. Angina occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood, often due to narrowed coronary arteries. By dilating these blood vessels, nitroglycerin reduces the workload on the heart and improves blood flow, thus alleviating the symptoms.

The rapid onset of action when nitroglycerin is administered sublingually makes it particularly effective for patients experiencing acute angina attacks, providing quick relief from chest pain. For long-term management, it can also be used in different formulations to prevent episodes. This ability to quickly relieve angina symptoms makes nitroglycerin a first-line treatment in acute scenarios, while other treatments may serve more as adjunctive therapies in chronic management.