Nitroglycerin is a medication used to treat angina. It relaxes
vascular muscles and increases blood flow and oxygen to the myocardium.
This helps relieve the pain.
These conditions must be met before you may assist with nitro:
complaint similar to normally experienced angina or cardiac
pain
BP greater than 100 mmHg systolic
no more than three doses total (5 minutes apart)
must be patient's prescription
patient must be sitting or lying down
no Viagra or Levitra within past 24 hours or Cialis within
past 48 hours
Nitrostat
EMS providers may assist a patient in taking prescribed nitroglycerin if:
The pain is the same type of pain for which nitroglycerin is normally taken (i.e. typical angina), AND
The patient’s blood pressure is greater than 100 mmHg systolic.
Make sure the expiration date of the medication has not passed.
Assisting a patient with their nitro means you can locate the container, open it and offer a pill to the patient. Do not administer the drug by placing a pill in the patient’s mouth. You may assist in the same way with nitroglycerin spray.
If you have any doubts about the circumstances, consult with the responding paramedic unit or with medical control before assisting with nitro.
