[Campbell Biology P.988] Nitroglycerin is sometimes prescribed for heart disease patients to... | Practice Question

Nitroglycerin is sometimes prescribed for heart disease patients to relieve chest pain caused by the narrowing of cardiac arteries. Based on the text, what is the primary mechanism by which nitroglycerin achieves its therapeutic effect in the body?

  • A: It increases the concentration of O2 in the blood.
  • B: It promotes plaque formation in arteries, thereby strengthening them.
  • C: It is converted to nitric oxide, which causes the cardiac arteries to widen.
  • D: It inhibits the inflammatory response, similar to aspirin.

Explanation

The text states that nitroglycerin is converted to nitric oxide, and implies that this action relieves chest pain caused by narrowing arteries, which is achieved through vasodilation widening of blood vessels by nitric oxide.