1 You'll need to avoid strenuous activities, but you may be able to continue normal daily activities, such as going to work. 2  Talk to your doctor about an appropriate level of activity for you. 3  Follow a balanced diet.
Nitroglycerin works by causing your veins to expand or dilate, known as venodilation. It also works on dilating the coronary arteries, contributing to the relief of angina.
Nitroglycerin is converted to nitric oxide (a natural vasodilator) within the body, which in turn causes the coronary artery (blood vessels surrounding the heart) to dilate, increasing blood flow and thereby improving the oxygen supply to the heart.