chronotropic response
Pronunciation: KRON-oh-trop-ik
The heart's ability to increase heart rate appropriately in response to physiological demands.
Full Definition
Chronotropic response refers to the heart's capacity to increase heart rate during exercise or stress to meet increased metabolic demands. Normal chronotropic response involves achieving at least 85% of age-predicted maximum heart rate during maximal exercise testing. Chronotropic incompetence occurs when the heart cannot adequately increase its rate, often due to sinus node dysfunction, medications (particularly beta-blockers), or autonomic dysfunction. Assessment of chronotropic response is important in exercise testing and pacemaker programming.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from inotropic (contractility) and dromotropic (conduction) effects.
In Context
- "The patient demonstrated adequate chronotropic response during exercise stress testing." — Stress test report
- "Impaired chronotropic response may contribute to exercise intolerance in heart failure patients." — Clinical study