What is the indication for administering nitroglycerin?

Administering nitroglycerin is indicated primarily for chest pain, particularly when the pain is suspected to be due to angina or a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Nitroglycerin works by dilating blood vessels, which reduces the workload on the heart and improves blood flow to the heart muscle. This can relieve the symptoms of angina and improve overall heart function during an acute cardiac event.

In contrast, while some conditions like stroke or severe anxiety may involve chest pain as a symptom, they are not direct indications for nitroglycerin. Headaches are also not treated with nitroglycerin, as its use is specifically tailored towards cardiac-related issues. Therefore, the focus on chest pain encapsulates the primary use of nitroglycerin in emergency medical situations.