Nitro Supplements as Vasodilators for Heart Problems

Nitro supplements are especially important for people with coronary artery disease, or CAD, to improve blood flow to the heart. It should be said at the outset that for patients who rely on this preparation, it is necessary to carry it with them at all times. In case of emergency, nitro preparations in the form of a spray, tablets or capsules can then be used to dilate the heart vessels and provide the heart with a better blood supply again. In this article, you will read numerous details about the effect of nitro preparations as well as the most common areas of application.

What are nitro supplements?

Nitro preparations are medications that are used to treat heart disease. In particular, for angina pectoris, a chest tightness caused by a circulatory disorder in the heart, nitro preparations can improve blood flow to the heart within a very short time, helping to relieve an acute attack of angina pectoris. When the nitro preparations are administered, their active ingredient nitroglycerin is converted into nitric oxide in the body. This causes the heart muscles to relax and the blood vessels to dilate, restoring a better supply of blood to the heart.

Symptoms of angina pectoris

Anyone who suddenly suffers from pain should always be alert. Chest tightness may also be behind this problem. This symptom manifests behind the breastbone with:

  • Pain
  • Tightness
  • Burning
  • Print
  • Anxiety

In addition, if the elbow, hand, shoulder and/or arm feel numb and heavy and this problem primarily or exclusively affects the left side of the body, then it may be angina. To note: Symptoms may be different in women and people over 75 years of age. Here you should be alert to shortness of breath, stomach discomfort and fatigue. A classic chest pain, on the other hand, is rare.

Use of nitro supplements for prevention.

In some cases, angina is triggered by certain situations, such as physical exertion or psychological stress. If it is already known that a corresponding situation is about to occur, nitroglycerin can also be taken as a preventive measure to prevent an attack as far as possible or at least to ease it in advance. In this way, the blood flow to the heart improves in advance and the symptoms may not occur at all – or at least in a weakened form.

Important:

If the symptoms persist for more than a few minutes and a nitro preparation does not bring any improvement either, a clarification in hospital is absolutely necessary in order to exclude an acute heart attack.

Treatment of chest tightness

If necessary, medications can be taken for angina pectoris to normalize cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure. In order to also dilate the vessels and improve blood flow in constricted coronary arteries, nitro supplements are additionally utilized. Angina pectoris is not only treated with medication, but also with a general change in lifestyle. The patient should avoid high-fat foods, nicotine and alcohol, and reduce any excess weight.

What is a nitro drug used for?

To treat chest tightness, nitro drugs are used as an immediate treatment. In this way, the vessels immediately dilate, which can lead to a dramatic improvement in the situation. The use of a nitro preparation makes it possible to distinguish between an attack of angina pectoris (symptoms subside quickly after administration of the preparation) and an acute heart attack (symptoms may remain). Angina pectoris may be unstable when symptoms first appear or under resting conditions (resting angina). In this case, acute myocardial infarction is imminent, so an immediate call to the emergency physician is advised.

Other areas of use of the preparations

Although angina is most commonly treated with nitro preparations, the drug is also used for the following conditions:

  • In acute myocardial infarction (myocardial infarction).
  • In the case of an acute reduction in the performance of the left side of the heart (left heart failure).
  • In spasms of the coronary arteries (coronary spasm on coronary angiography).

Although the drug is usually given only to clarify whether there is an acute myocardial infarction or chest tightness, it still helps patients with a heart attack.Symptoms do not resolve immediately, but nitro supplements can also improve the permeability of the coronary arteries.

What nitro supplements are available?

In most cases, nitro preparations are sold as nitro capsules, nitroglycerin tablets, or nitroglycerin spray. The drug can also be purchased as an ointment, but is only used in this form for anal fissure. Patients with symptoms such as chest tightness should take the nitro preparation (crushing capsule, tablets or spray) as soon as possible. The preparation is considered not only for emergency use, but also as a way to prevent an emergency from occurring in the first place. Since it is all the more effective if taken at the onset of symptoms, patients should not hesitate for long at all.

How are nitro preparations used?

Nitro preparations come in a variety of dosage forms; however, sprays, tablets, and capsules have in common that they:

Capsules and tablets are swallowed, while sprays are sprayed into the oral cavity. It is best to spray under the tongue, taking care not to inhale the drug. Now close your mouth, continue breathing through your nose and repeat the procedure if there is no improvement after 1-2 minutes. Important: The vasodilatation of the preparations also lowers arterial blood pressure, which can lead to circulatory difficulties. For this reason, nitro preparations should always be taken lying down or sitting up, regardless of which preparation is taken in which dosage form. The patient should therefore remain seated or lying down for a few minutes after taking the medication. Generally speaking:

  • Take nitro preparations if necessary already preventive.
  • At the first sign of an attack, the nitro preparation should be taken once.
  • Unless symptoms improve after five minutes, patients should take a second dose.
  • If this dose also does not work, patients should contact their doctor or, if in doubt, the emergency physician.

How do nitro supplements work?

Whether as nitroglycerin tablets, capsules or spray – the effect occurs very quickly with these preparations to stop an angina pectoris attack. Myocardial perfusion is improved by the nitroglycerin preparations, as myocardial oxygen consumption is reduced by dilation of the coronary arteries. The vasodilatation is perceived by many patients as a “warmth in the head,” with some patients also feeling a headache. Nevertheless, the positive effect clearly outweighs the side effects. Possible side effects include headache, drop in blood pressure (dizziness, lightheadedness), or even feelings of heat.

Good to know:

There is no habituation effect with the active substance nitroglycerin. This means that the active ingredient can be used again and again and just as effectively.

Calcium antagonists or nitro preparations?

Some sufferers wonder whether calcium antagonists or nitro preparations are better for treating angina. The question should not be “or,” because both nitro preparations and calcium antagonists (and beta-blockers) are used in parallel to treat stable angina. In this context, calcium antagonists act as a kind of “middle ground” between nitro preparations and beta-blockers, since calcium transport into and out of the cells is influenced by these substances. In this way, blood vessels relax and dilate, and blood pressure drops again.

Is the nitroglycerin drug sold over the counter?

Nitroglycerin medication is not available over the counter. If you want to buy nitroglycerin from a pharmacy to treat chest tightness with the nitro drugs, you will need a prescription from a specialist. Your primary care physician will also prescribe a suitable medication for emergency use if you have the condition.