Question

patients experiencing hypertension (high blood pressure) may be prescribed drugs called beta-blockers. these drugs bind to receptors on cardiac muscle cells and block the action of the sympathetic neurotransmitter (click to select) on the heart. this prevents the (click to select) effect that the sympathetic innervation would normally have on the heart. consequently, both heart rate and the force of contraction are (click to select) .

Answer 1

Beta-blockers are drugs that bind to receptors on cardiac muscle cells and block the action of the sympathetic neurotransmitter on the heart. This prevents the stimulatory effect that the sympathetic innervation would normally have on the heart, resulting in a decrease in both heart rate and force of contraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Beta-blockers are drugs that bind to receptors on cardiac muscle cells and block the action of the sympathetic neurotransmitter on the heart. This prevents the stimulatory effect that the sympathetic innervation would normally have on the heart, resulting in a decrease in both heart rate and force of contraction.

For example, beta-1 blockers, such as metoprolol, specifically block the beta-1 receptors on cardiac muscle cells. By blocking these receptors, beta-blockers reduce the effects of norepinephrine (NE) on the heart, which leads to a decrease in heart rate and force of contraction.

Overall, beta-blockers are prescribed to hypertensive patients in order to lower their blood pressure by reducing the workload and demand on the heart.