Chronotropism

/ˌkrɑːnəˈtrɑːpɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being able to influence or change the rate of the heartbeat.

Etymology

Derived from Greek 'chronos' (time) and 'tropos' (turning), with the noun-forming suffix '-ism'. It describes the phenomenon of heart rate modulation discovered as cardiology developed in the 1800s.

Kelly Says

The sympathetic nervous system exhibits chronotropism when it floods your heart with adrenaline during a scary movie—your pulse jumps instantly! This biological mechanism lets your body instantly adapt its heartbeat to match what it thinks you need.

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