Final answer:
Non-selective β-receptor antagonists block both β1- and β2-receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure, and are used in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Propranolol is a key example of a non-selective β-blocker.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-selective β-receptor antagonists, commonly referred to as β-blockers, are medications that block β-receptors non-specifically, influencing both β2- and β1-receptors. Propranolol is an example of such a drug.
Non-selective β-receptor antagonists are a class of medications that hinder the physiological actions of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) by blocking β-receptors irrespective of their subtype. These drugs, also known as β-blockers, affect both the β1-receptors, which are primarily located in the heart, and the β2-receptors, which are found in various tissues throughout the body, including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, uterus, vascular smooth muscle, and skeletal muscle. By blocking these receptors, β-blockers reduce heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure, making them effective in the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, angina, some arrhythmias, and heart failure. One of the most well-known non-selective β-blockers is propranolol, which is utilized for various indications including anxiety, migraine prophylaxis, and essential tremor, besides cardiovascular disorders.