Patient was educated on isosorbide mononitrate and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Constricted or collapsed arteries offer more resistance for the pumping action of the heart and contribute towards increased blood pressure.
- Use of isosorbide mononitrate results in arterial vasodilation, reduced resistance in the arteries, and contributes towards reduced blood pressure.
- Also, decreased resistance in the arteries results in more amount of blood pumped by the heart into the arterial system with reduced effort. This action helps reduce workload on the heart, increase cardiac output, and help the heart to function optimally even under conditions of reduced oxygen supply, for example, in an individual with compromised cardiac function, heart failure, and angina.
- Use of isosorbide mononitrate can also result in dilation of veins, pooling of more blood in the peripheral veins. This reduces the volume of blood return to the heart, which reduces the workload on the heart. Reduced workload on the heart can help the heart to function optimally even under conditions of reduced oxygen supply, for example, in an individual with compromised cardiac function, heart failure, and angina.
- Also, as isosorbide mononitrate helps to dilate the arteries overall, it can be used in individuals with history of angina and chest pain. This medication helps in dilating the coronary arteries, promote blood supply to the cardiac muscle, and help prevent episodes of angina and chest pain.
