What type of pain does Nitroglycerin specifically target in cardiac patients?

Nitroglycerin specifically targets chest pain, particularly that associated with angina or myocardial ischemia. Angina is often described as a feeling of pressure, tightness, or discomfort in the chest, which occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Nitroglycerin works by dilating blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the heart muscle, thereby alleviating the pain that stems from reduced blood supply during episodes of angina. This mechanism makes it an essential medication for managing acute chest pain in cardiac patients, as it helps to relieve symptoms and improve oxygen delivery to heart tissues.

Other types of pain, such as joint, abdominal, or back pain, do not have the same underlying cardiovascular cause that Nitroglycerin is designed to address, and therefore, the medication is not specifically indicated for these conditions.