title: Biological reactions in the heart: what should we do in 'cardiology'?
abstract: Humankind is on a similar evolutionary process to animals. Biological reactions in the human heart will be reviewed, and consideration will be made about what can be done in cardiology, from the viewpoints of basic, clinical and community medicine. Functional reactions of the heart to acute loading (exercise, etc) comprise myocardial contractility, preload, pump function and peripheral factors, and are mobilized step by step in that order, to maintain normal functioning. Morphological reactions to chronic loading (hypertension etc) comprise hypertrophy and dilatation, which are caused by mechanical and nonmechanical factors, but may not always be mobilized to maintain normal functioning. Various neurohumoral factors take part in the mechanisms, and modifications, of these reactions. They act in a complex manner according to the biological conditions, and may not always act to maintain normal functioning. The biological reactions in the heart (ie, Basic Cardiology) should not be interpreted as having purpose; that is, putting a value on humankind, although medical treatment (Clinical Cardiology) and the solution of health problems in the community (Community Cardiology) should be done from this viewpoint.
authors.affiliation: Tsukuba Memorial Hospital, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugishita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002309:Cardiology / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry