Final answer:
Atropine inhibits parasympathetic activity in the heart, leading to an increase in heart rate and contractility. Common expected side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, increased body temperature, and urinary retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that inhibits parasympathetic activity. In terms of its effects on the heart, atropine blocks the muscarinic receptors in the cardiac muscle, preventing the binding of acetylcholine (ACh) released by the parasympathetic postganglionic fibers. This results in an increase in heart rate and contractility.
Common expected side effects of atropine include dry mouth, blurred vision, increased body temperature, and urinary retention. These side effects occur because atropine also has systemic effects on other organs that receive parasympathetic innervation.