What are two critical goals of antianginal therapy?

Minimizing the frequency of angina is indeed a critical goal of antianginal therapy. Angina pectoris is characterized by chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. The primary aim of antianginal medications is to relieve or prevent this chest pain, thus enhancing the quality of life for individuals suffering from coronary artery disease or other conditions that compromise blood flow to the heart.

These medications work by improving the balance between oxygen supply and demand in the heart. They can help increase blood flow to the heart muscle, decrease the workload on the heart, or both. Therefore, a core objective of antianginal therapy is to ensure that patients experience fewer episodes of angina, allowing them to engage more fully in daily activities without the interruption of chest pain.

In contrast, while managing cholesterol levels can indeed be relevant to overall cardiovascular health, it is not a primary goal of antianginal therapy per se. Similarly, increasing heart rate would typically not be desired in a situation where angina is present, as elevated heart rate can increase oxygen demand and potentially exacerbate anginal symptoms. Preventing kidney failure, while important in overall health management, does not directly relate to the goals of treating angina.