Dr. Gordon Ewy answers the question: 'How Does Nitroglycerin Work?'
Question: How does nitroglycerin work, when is it used, and why is it placed under the tongue?
Answer: Nitroglycerin is used because it dilates the vessels and therefore lowers the blood pressure. But most importantly, it dilates the coronary arteries, which causes angina. So if you have heaviness in your chest, shortness of breath, putting the nitroglycerin tablet under your tongue has it absorbed rapidly, and if you get a relief within two to three minutes, that indicates that that's the right medicine for you.
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