Tag: Cardiovascular pharmacology

In 2020, over 117 million prescriptions for beta blockers were issued for more than 26 million Americans, making them a cornerstone of cardiovascular therapy [1.9.1]. A critical question in their use is, **do beta blockers decrease preload?** The answer is complex, involving indirect and time-dependent effects.

First developed by Ernest Starling in the early 20th century, the Starling heart lever is a mechanical instrument used in experimental pharmacology to record the force of cardiac contractions in isolated animal heart preparations. This classic apparatus was a pivotal tool for studying cardiac mechanics and was critical for demonstrating the foundational Frank-Starling law of the heart.

Atropine is a first-line therapy for symptomatic bradycardia (slow heart rate) [1.6.1]. Its vascular impact is complex; the question 'Does atropine cause vasoconstriction or vasodilation?' reveals a dose-dependent answer, with therapeutic doses often leading to cutaneous vasodilation [1.2.1].

Acetylcholine (ACh), a vital neurotransmitter, exhibits a dual role in the cardiovascular system [1.8.1]. The answer to whether **does acetylcholine cause vasoconstriction or vasodilation** is complex, as it depends on the health of the vascular endothelium and the specific receptors activated [1.4.2, 1.5.1].

The human heart beats approximately 100,000 times per day, and understanding how different medications influence its function is fundamental in pharmacology. Master the core concepts of cardiac medication by learning how to remember chronotropic, inotropic, and dromotropic effects through easy-to-use mnemonics and clear explanations.