Triptans may cause which cardiac effect at therapeutic doses?

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Multiple Choice

Triptans may cause which cardiac effect at therapeutic doses?

Triptans activate 5-HT1B receptors on vascular smooth muscle, producing vasoconstriction to help treat migraine by constricting cranial arteries and damping trigeminovascular signaling. Because these same receptors are present on coronary arteries, activation can cause coronary vasoconstriction. At therapeutic doses, the primary cardiac effect is a small, transient constriction of the coronary vessels, which can provoke anginal symptoms in people with underlying coronary disease but is not typically associated with major infarction, severe arrhythmias, or a hypertensive crisis. The risk is higher in patients with known coronary artery disease or risk factors, so clinicians watch for chest pain during treatment.

Triptans activate 5-HT1B receptors on vascular smooth muscle, producing vasoconstriction to help treat migraine by constricting cranial arteries and damping trigeminovascular signaling. Because these same receptors are present on coronary arteries, activation can cause coronary vasoconstriction. At therapeutic doses, the primary cardiac effect is a small, transient constriction of the coronary vessels, which can provoke anginal symptoms in people with underlying coronary disease but is not typically associated with major infarction, severe arrhythmias, or a hypertensive crisis. The risk is higher in patients with known coronary artery disease or risk factors, so clinicians watch for chest pain during treatment.

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