Treating Chest Pain: Aspirin and Nitroglycerin
/When it comes to treating chest pain or suspected heart attack, aspirin and nitroglycerin are two medications that first responders may use to help their patients depending on scope of practice. But what are these medications, how do they work, and what do first responders need to know about their use?
man sitting down and clutching his chest in pain. He appears to be experiencing a heart attack. Calgary Fire Fighters on the way.
Aspirin:
What is Aspirin, and How Does it Work?
Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a medication that's commonly used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin works by inhibiting the activity of platelets, which are small blood cells that play a key role in blood clotting. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets are activated and begin to stick to the damaged area to form a plug, which helps to stop bleeding. However, when a blood clot forms inside an artery supplying the heart, it can block blood flow and cause a heart attack.
As a platelet inhibitor, aspirin helps to prevent blood clots from forming and reduces the risk of further damage to the heart.
How is Aspirin Used in Emergency Situations?
Aspirin is an important medication for first responders to use in emergency situations, particularly for patients experiencing chest pain or suspected heart attack also know as a myocardial infarction. To speed up its onset of action, chewing aspirin is often recommended. The recommended dose of aspirin for patients with suspected heart attack is typically between 160-325 mg.
Contraindications:
There are certain situations where aspirin use may not be appropriate or may need to be used with caution.
Some common contraindications for aspirin use include:
Allergy or hypersensitivity to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Active bleeding or bleeding disorders
Suspected stroke
ASA exacerbated asthma
Children with viral infection
Nitroglycerin:
What is Nitroglycerin, and How Does it Work?
Nitroglycerin is a medication used to treat chest pain or angina, which is often a symptom of heart disease. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, which means that it relaxes and widens blood vessels throughout the body, including the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
By dilating the blood vessels, nitroglycerin helps to increase blood flow to the heart, which reduces the workload on the heart muscle and can relieve chest pain or angina. Nitroglycerin works by releasing nitric oxide, which is a gas that relaxes the smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels.
In addition to its effects on the coronary arteries, nitroglycerin can also cause vasodilation in other blood vessels, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure or hypotension. This is why nitroglycerin should not be given to patients with low blood pressure or hypotension.
It is administered as a sublingual spray with a recommended dose of 0.4 mg.
Contrindications:
While nitroglycerin is a useful medication, there are some precautions to keep in mind. PASS is an acronym to help you remember nitroglycerin’s contraindications.
Prescription: Making sure the nitro is prescribed to the patient.
Allergy: Confirming the patient does not have an allergy to nitro or other nitrates.
Systolic: Taking vitals to confirm their systolic blood pressure is above 100.
Sex drugs: A brief history of the patients medication use, Viagra, Levitra and Cialis in the last 24hr are all contraindicated for nitro.
Aspirin and Nitro
Aspirin and nitroglycerin are two medications that first responders will encounter in emergency situations for patients experiencing chest pain or suspected heart attack. While both medications can be effective in treating these conditions, they work in different ways and have different indications and contraindications.
Aspirin is a platelet inhibitor that helps to prevent blood clots from forming and reduces the risk of further damage to the heart. It is often used as a long-term treatment to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks or stroke. Nitroglycerin, on the other hand, is a vasodilator that helps to increase blood flow to the heart by dilating blood vessels, which reduces the workload on the heart muscle. It is typically used as a short-term treatment to relieve chest pain or angina.
By understanding their uses, risks, and benefits, first responders can provide effective care and help ensure the safety and well-being of their patients.
Training
In our advanced first aid training class, we cover topics such as heart disease and the use of aspirin and nitroglycerin to equip you with the knowledge and skills to provide excellent care in emergency situations. Calgary Fire, for example, is one of the many organizations that uses these medications as part of their protocols for responding to chest pain and suspected heart attack.
At Delta Emergency, we are dedicated to providing you with the tools you need to confidently handle any emergency situation involving chest pain or suspected heart attack. Our training programs are designed to teach you about the uses, risks, and benefits of aspirin and nitroglycerin, as well as the proper administration and monitoring of these medications.
If you have any questions or concerns about our training programs or the use of aspirin and nitroglycerin in emergency situations, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@deltaemergency.com. We're here to support you every step of the way in providing effective care to patients experiencing chest pain or suspected heart attack, just like Calgary Fire and other first responders do on a daily basis.
