Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Published on: February 16, 2011
Acute myocardial infarction temporally related to betel nut chewing
Abstract:
A patient with coronary artery disease suffered an acute myocardial infarction temporally related to chewing a betel nut. Alkaloids in betel nut, such as arecoline, may play a contributing role in coronary artery spasm due to parasympathomimetic effects on vessels with abnormal endothelium. Chewing betel nuts may instantly induce a high concentration of arecoline in the circulation and do harm to a chewer with a history of coronary artery disease.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Angina I: Introduction
Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

