Neurocardiology: therapeutic implications for cardiovascular disease

David S Goldstein1

  • 1Clinical Neurocardiology Section, Clinical Neurosciences Program, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. goldsteind@ninds.nih.gov

Cardiovascular Therapeutics
|November 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Neurocardiology explores nervous and cardiovascular system interactions. Understanding catecholamine system disorders through scientific integrative medicine offers new therapeutic approaches beyond single drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Neurocardiology
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Neurocardiology examines the interplay between the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
  • Disorders involving catecholamine systems are a key focus.
  • Scientific integrative medicine offers a systems-based approach to understanding regulatory disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review cardiovascular therapeutic implications in neurocardiology.
  • To highlight the role of catecholamine system abnormalities.
  • To integrate concepts of scientific integrative medicine into neurocardiology.

Main Methods:

  • Selective review of neurocardiology literature.
  • Application of systems concepts (feedback, allostasis) from integrative medicine.
  • Analysis of therapeutic strategies for catecholamine-related disorders.

Main Results:

  • Catecholamine system abnormalities significantly impact neurocardiology.
  • Scientific integrative medicine provides a framework for understanding complex regulatory disorders.
  • Current and emerging treatments address hyper- and hypofunctional catecholamine states.

Conclusions:

  • The future of neurocardiology therapeutics lies in integrative approaches.
  • Considering concurrent chronic conditions and treatment interactions is crucial.
  • A systems-thinking approach enhances understanding and management of neurocardiologic disorders.

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications01:18

Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications

Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However, frequent irregular...
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...