Inotropic vs. Chronotropic

Inotropicadjective

(physiology) Increasing or decreasing the force of muscular contractions.

Inotropicnoun

An inotropic heart drug.

Chronotropicadjective

(physiology) Of, relating to, or affecting the rate of muscular contraction, especially of the heart.

Chronotropic

Chronotropic effects (from chrono-, meaning time, and tropos, ) are those that change the heart rate. Chronotropic drugs may change the heart rate and rhythm by affecting the electrical conduction system of the heart and the nerves that influence it, such as by changing the rhythm produced by the sinoatrial node.