How does Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) work to alleviate angina?

Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) is primarily effective in relieving angina by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as nitrates, which work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels. When GTN is administered, it leads to the relaxation and dilation of both peripheral and coronary arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart muscle.

This increased blood flow helps to reduce the heart's workload because the heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood through dilated vessels. In the context of angina, which often occurs due to reduced blood supply to the heart muscle (typically caused by coronary artery disease), the dilation can alleviate the chest pain associated with angina by ensuring that the heart receives adequate oxygen and nutrients.

The other choices relate to different physiological responses. Increasing heart rate could exacerbate angina rather than relieve it, particularly since a faster heart rate demands more oxygen. Decreasing blood pressure can be a secondary effect of vasodilation, but it is not the primary mechanism by which GTN alleviates angina. Reducing cholesterol levels pertains to long-term management of heart disease rather than the immediate relief of angina symptoms. Thus, the main