Most of these medications are taken once or twice a day. This potentially increases blood flow to the heart, particularly the area of the heart receiving insufficient blood flow. Nitroglycerin also dilates the veins, which can decrease strain on the heart and its need for oxygen. Most patients are first treated with continuous intravenous infusion or with the application of a cream or patch. Over the course of several days, they may switch to an oral nitrate preparation.
Some patients experience headaches with nitroglycerin.
In most cases, the headaches are not severe and occur less frequently or resolve with time. Occasionally, they create so much discomfort that nitrate therapy must be decreased or discontinued. Back to top Calcium channel blockers . These drugs decrease the flow of calcium ions within the heart cells and the cells that line the walls of the arteries. Some calcium channel blockers act like beta-blockers.