Categories Of Medications That Can Affect The Stroke Volume & Heart Rate

"Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems" by Lauralee Sherwood notes that stroke volume and heart rate determine the amount of blood the heart pumps to the rest of the body. Stroke volume is the amount of blood the left ventricle pumps out during a heart beat. Heart rate, on the other hand, refers to the number of times the heart beats in a minute. The average stroke volume is 70 ml per beat while the average heart rate is 70 beats per minute. Certain medications can affect these two factors.

Digitalis Glycosides

Digitalis glycoside is a class of medication used to treat conditions like congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. An example of drugs in this class is digoxin. The Mayo Clinic states that it regulates the rate and rhythm of the heart beats. It also increases the strength of the hearts contractions so that more blood can be pumped out to the rest of the body. "Drug Therapy in Nursing" by Diane S. Aschenbrenner and Samantha J, Venable states that digoxin, a digitalis glycoside drug, reduces heart rate. "Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts" by Richard E. Klabunde states that digoxin increases stroke volume.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are a class of drugs that are also called beta-adrenergic blocking agents. They are used to treat conditions such as hypertension and migraines. Adrenaline also known as epinephrine is a hormone found in the body that increases the rate at which the heart beats. The Mayo Clinic says that beta blockers work by blocking the actions of adrenaline. They therefore slow down the rate at which the heart beats, the strength of the heart's contractions and reduce the amount of blood that the heart pumps out to the body. Carvedilol, metoprolol, atenolol, nadolol and bisoprolol are examples of beta blockers.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are used to treat hypertension, angina and some arrhythmias. They work by preventing the transport of calcium ions into the heart and walls of the blood vessels. This results in dilation of the blood vessels and a reduction in blood pressure. Some calcium channel blockers also reduce heart rate, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. Examples of calcium channel blockers are verapamil, diltiazem, nicardipine, felodipine and nifedipine.