What education should be provided to a patient with angina?

• A. Take daily aspirin for every meal
• B. Take nitroglycerin at onset of chest pain and rest to alleviate symptoms
• C. Exercise vigorously during chest pain
• D. Ignore chest pain if mild

Answer: (B)

When a patient has angina, the key education is to use nitroglycerin at the onset of chest pain and rest. Nitroglycerin works by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, which lowers the heart’s oxygen demand and improves blood flow to the heart by dilating the coronary arteries. This combination often relieves the pain quickly. It’s important to sit or lie down before taking the medication to prevent dizziness or fainting from a drop in blood pressure. If the pain isn’t relieved after the first dose, a second dose can be taken after about five minutes. If there’s still no relief after a second dose, seek emergency care promptly.

Also keep in mind that aspirin is typically used as a long-term preventive measure, not as instant relief for an attack, and it should be taken exactly as prescribed rather than with every meal. Exercising vigorously during chest pain can worsen ischemia, and ignoring chest pain is dangerous because it could signal a heart attack.