Pain can be relieved by sucking (not swallowing) a tablet of glyceryl trinitrate (0.5 mg). The tablet should be allowed to dissolve slowly under the tongue. These tablets can be used as often as necessary and are best taken when the patient gets any symptoms indicating a possible attack of angina. Tell the patient to remove any piece of the tablet that may be left when the pain has subsided, since glyceryl trinitrate can cause a throbbing headache.
If the patient is emotional or tense and anxious, give him 5 mg of diazepam at equal intervals, three times daily during waking hours, and, if he is sleepless, 10 mg at bedtime. The patient should continue to rest and take the above drugs as needed until he sees a doctor at the next port.
Warning. Sometimes angina pectoris appears abruptly and without exertion or emotion, even when the person is resting. This form of angina is often due to a threatened or very small coronary thrombosis and should be treated as such, as should any attack of anginal pain lasting for longer than 10 minutes.
Frequent easily provoked attacks often precede a myocardial infarction. RADIO MEDICAL ADVICE should always be obtained in such cases. Evacuation of the patient should be arranged as soon as possible.
I. Read and translate the text
II. Tell what should be done in case of heart pain and heart failure