Final answer:
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat®) is used to treat anginal attacks primarily because it causes vasodilation of coronary arteries by releasing nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscle in the vessel walls and improves blood flow to the heart.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat®) is administered for anginal attacks because it causes vasodilation of coronary arteries. The compound works by releasing nitric oxide (NO), which is a known vasodilator. This gas diffuses across the plasma membrane of the cells in the smooth muscle of the blood vessels and triggers relaxation, thus allowing the vessels to expand or dilate. Through vasodilation, blood flow to the heart is restored, which is essential in relieving the chest pain associated with angina.
It's important to note that while nitroglycerin is used with great success to treat chest pain, its mechanism is not entirely understood. However, its capability to release NO and induce vasodilation is a key therapeutic action. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is that nitroglycerin induces vasodilation of coronary arteries (option 1).