What it means
Catecholamines are made in the adrenal glands and nerve cells. In the "fight or flight" response they raise the heart rate and blood pressure, widen the airways and raise blood sugar. The same chemicals, given as drugs (epinephrineep-ih-NEF-rinA hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.Full entry , norepinephrinenor-ep-ih-NEF-rinA hormone and nerve messenger that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure, also given as an IV drug.Full entry , dopamine), are used for shock, cardiac arrest and severe allergic reactions. A rare adrenal tumor, pheochromocytoma, makes too much of them.
At a glance
| Spanish | catecolamina |
|---|---|
| Also written | catecholamines |
Related terms
epinephrine
A hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.
autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
norepinephrine
A hormone and nerve messenger that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure, also given as an IV drug.
vasopressor
A drug that narrows the blood vessels to raise the blood pressure.