What is the primary action of nitroglycerin?

Nitroglycerin primarily acts by relaxing vascular smooth muscle. This vasodilation effect occurs because nitroglycerin is converted to nitric oxide in the body, which enhances the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the blood vessels. This action leads to the widening of the blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow and reduced workload on the heart.

By relaxing vascular smooth muscle, nitroglycerin reduces myocardial oxygen demand, making it particularly useful in treating angina pectoris—a condition characterized by chest pain due to insufficient blood supply to the heart. The primary therapeutic goal of nitroglycerin is to alleviate chest pain by improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, ultimately helping manage conditions related to coronary artery disease.

Understanding this primary action clarifies the role nitroglycerin plays in cardiac management and highlights its significance in emergency and chronic angina treatment.