Volatile nitrites relax smooth muscle wherever it is found in the body. Smooth muscles affected include those that cover the outsides of major arteries in the body. Partially blocked arteries in the heart get enhanced blood flow when nitrites are used. This is the reason for the status of amyl nitrite as a prescription drug, although today, amyl nitrite has largely been replaced by oral and sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. Nitrite use causes blood vessels to relax and enlarge throughout the body, leading to flushing, increased heart rate, headaches, and feelings of dizziness and warmth.
Nitrites can cause toxic methemoglobinemia.
This lowers the amount of oxygen available to the bloodstream. Cardiac arrhythmias and aerosol sniffing. Sudden death following fluorohydrocarbon aerosol sniffing. Wason S, Gibler B, Hassan M. Ventricular tachycardia associated with non-freon aerosol propellants. Harris W. Aerosol propellants are toxic to the heart.