Nitrates, also known as isosorbide nitrate, are a commonly used drug for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Isosorbide is a vasodilator that relaxes vascular smooth muscle to dilate arterial and venous blood vessels. It is used in the long-term treatment of coronary heart disease, prevention of angina pectoris, treatment of persistent angina pectoris after myocardial infarction, and in combination with digitalis and diuretics to treat chronic congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. After isosorbide enters the body, it is metabolized to isosorbide mononitrate, and the latter releases a large amount of nitric oxide, relaxes vascular smooth muscle, and leads to peripheral arterial and venous vasodilatation, in which the effect of venous dilatation is stronger. The vasodilating effect of isosorbide can also lead to hypotension and vertigo symptoms, and it should be noted when using it that isosorbide can also dilate the blood vessels in the head, which can cause headaches and other symptoms. Patients should follow their doctor’s advice when using isosorbide nitrate and should not take it privately to avoid adverse effects.