Nitroglycerin Patches: Convenient and Effective Transdermal Treatment for Angina Pectoris

For about three years now, my aunt has been suffering from angina pectoris, more commonly known as "chest pain" or "heart pain." For those who do not understand what angina pectoris exactly is, it is a condition that is characterized by discomfort in the chest, with physical or emotional stress as the usual cause. Often, atherosclerosis - the accumulation of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries - is the precursor of the problem. As a result of the narrowing of the coronary arteries, the supply of blood to the heart becomes restricted.

Just recently, I asked my aunt what precisely does she feel whenever angina pectoris attacks? Her best description of the condition is that of a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the chest. While there may be a lot of people who live with angina pectoris for years, this condition may bring about susceptibility to heart attacks. As a matter of fact, some people who develop angina pectoris experience a heart attack within five years or even less.

In preventing or treating angina pectoris, doctors may recommend the application of nitroglycerin patches. While nitroglycerin medications may also come in ointments and in tablets that are placed under the tongue, nitroglycerin patches are more convenient to use and are equally effective as the other two forms.

Nitroglycerin patches, which look like adhesive dressings - as most other transdermal medications do -, are available in various sizes. They are designed in such a way as to slowly release nitroglycerin into the body over a period of twenty-four hours to prevent or treat angina pectoris. The best body parts to which nitroglycerin patches should be applied are the chest, abdomen, upper arm, and thigh. They may also be applied to other skin areas where there is very little or no hair. It isn't advisable to apply nitroglycerin patches to either the lower arms or legs as their effectiveness may just be put to naught in these areas.

Since nitroglycerin patches are convenient to use, less messy than the ointment form, and quite easy to apply, most people with angina pectoris - my aunt included - prefer them over the other forms of nitroglycerin medications; this inspite of their being more expensive than either the tablet or ointment form. If your particular condition requires treatment that will last all day, nitroglycerin patches can definitely meet this end much better than the under-the-tongue tablets can.

Whatever the form, nitroglycerin medications have the same side effects. These include headache (the most common one), nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness. In some cases, the affected person may likewise experience rapid heart rate and low blood pressure. The good thing is that all of these side effects may be reduced or completely eliminated by reducing the measured quantity of the nitroglycerin medication to be taken. In case nitroglycerin patches cause irritation to a particular skin site, move them to other areas. [Read the Original Article]