Which of the following medications is primarily used for immediate relief of angina symptoms?

Nitroglycerin is the medication primarily used for immediate relief of angina symptoms due to its rapid onset of action. It works as a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes and expands blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the heart muscle. This helps alleviate chest pain or discomfort associated with angina attacks.

When taken sublingually, nitroglycerin can provide relief within minutes, making it ideal for use during an angina episode. It directly addresses the acute symptoms by improving oxygen supply to the heart and reducing myocardial oxygen demand. This unique property makes it the first-line treatment for immediate relief in patients experiencing angina.

In contrast, medications like atenolol and metoprolol are beta-blockers that primarily focus on preventing angina episodes by reducing heart rate and myocardial contractility over time, rather than providing immediate relief. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, can help prevent angina attacks by relaxing blood vessels; however, it is not specifically designed for quick intervention during an angina episode like nitroglycerin is.

Thus, nitroglycerin stands out as the best choice for the immediate management of angina symptoms, distinguishing it from other medications that are more geared towards long-term control of ang