Heart imaging can be performed with a nuclear camera or echocardiography. It is the most accurate test to detect coronary artery narrowing. Nitroglycerin also relieves spasm of the coronary arteries and can redistribute coronary artery blood flow to areas that need it most. Longer-acting nitroglycerin preparations and transdermal delivery systems are useful in preventing and reducing the frequency and intensity of episodes in patients with chronic angina. The use of nitroglycerin preparations can be limited by headaches and light-headedness due to excess lowering of blood pressure.
Beta blockers relieve angina by inhibiting the effect of adrenaline on the heart.
Inhibiting adrenaline decreases the heart rate, lowers the blood pressure, and reduces the pumping force of the heart muscle, all of which reduce the heart muscle's demand for oxygen. Calcium channel blockers relieve angina by lowering blood pressure, and reducing the pumping force of the heart muscle, thereby reducing muscle oxygen demand. Calcium channel blockers also relieve coronary artery spasm. Side effects include swelling of the legs, excess lowering of the heart rate and blood pressure, and depressing heart muscle function, thereby causing an increased shortness of breath. Pericarditis- inflammation of the lining of the heart.