Which medication is commonly associated with treating CAD symptoms?

Aspirin is widely recognized for its role in managing coronary artery disease (CAD) symptoms, particularly because of its antiplatelet properties. It works by inhibiting platelet aggregation, which helps prevent blood clots from forming in narrowed arteries. This reduction in clot formation decreases the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events, making aspirin a crucial component of secondary prevention in patients who already have CAD.

While other medications listed can play important roles in the overall management of CAD, they do so in different ways. For example, metoprolol is a beta-blocker that mainly helps with managing heart rate and blood pressure, which can alleviate angina symptoms and reduce cardiac workload. Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, is used to improve blood flow and manage hypertension, and atorvastatin is a statin that primarily works by lowering cholesterol levels. Although these medications are important in the treatment of CAD, their primary mechanisms differ from the direct symptom management provided by aspirin's antiplatelet action.