Tag: Nitroglycerine

Synthesized in 1846 by Ascanio Sobrero, nitroglycerine was immediately recognized as an extraordinarily unstable and dangerous liquid, so much so that its discoverer was terrified by his own creation. The same inherent chemical properties that made pure nitroglycerine so explosive also, paradoxically, paved the way for its eventual use in modern medicine.

First used for medical purposes in the 1860s, nitroglycerine has a long history as a highly effective vasodilator. Today, the question of "What is nitroglycerine used for?" is most frequently answered in the context of treating and preventing angina, a form of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It is also employed for other cardiovascular conditions, including severe hypertension.