Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat angina?

Prepare for the COMAT Foundational Biomedical Science Exam with comprehensive questions. Study with flashcards and detailed explanations to boost your exam readiness and understanding.

Nitroglycerin is commonly used to treat angina because it acts as a vasodilator, relaxing and widening blood vessels. This action decreases the workload on the heart and improves blood flow to the myocardial tissue, alleviating chest pain associated with angina. It can be administered in various forms, including sublingual tablets, which allow for rapid relief during an angina attack.

While metoprolol, a beta-blocker, can also help manage angina by reducing heart rate and workload, its primary role is more about controlling symptoms over time rather than providing immediate relief during an acute episode. Digoxin is mainly used for heart failure and certain types of arrhythmias, while atorvastatin, a statin, primarily addresses cholesterol levels. Thus, nitroglycerin stands out for its efficacy in providing quick relief from the symptoms of angina.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy