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Nitroglycerin is a medication widely used for the treatment of angina pectoris and other heart conditions. As with any medication, it comes with a range of side effects that healthcare professionals must be aware of when prescribing this drug.

Hypotension
- Definition: A condition where blood pressure is lower than normal.
- Mechanism: Nitroglycerin works by dilating blood vessels, which can lead to decreased blood pressure, especially when standing up or changing positions quickly.
Severe Headache
- Definition: A significant pain or discomfort in the head that can be debilitating.
- Mechanism: This is a common side effect due to the vasodilation effects of nitroglycerin, which can affect cerebral blood flow, leading to headaches.
Bradycardia
- Definition: An abnormally slow heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute.
- Mechanism: While not as common as hypotension or headache, nitroglycerin can lead to bradycardia as a response to reduced cardiac workload due to decreased blood pressure.
Hypertension (EXCEPT)
- Definition: A condition characterized by consistently high blood pressure levels.
- Key Point: Hypertension is NOT a common side effect of nitroglycerin. In fact, nitroglycerin is used to decrease blood pressure, particularly during cases of angina or heart failure.

When being tested on the side effects of nitroglycerin, it's important to recognize the typical effects such as hypotension, severe headache, and bradycardia, while being mindful that hypertension does not fall under the common side effects associated with this medication.