[The role of calcium in reaction of the heart for mechanical stress].

The article deals with the role of Ca2+ in four possible mechanisms of cardiac muscle response to mechanical stretch. First, the Ca2+ role is analysed in the changed contractive myocardium function under mechanical stretch. Second, discussed are the direct proofs of redistributing intercellular ions occurring at axial stretch of single cardiomyocytes. Given are the experimental proofs relating the role of Ca2+ and mechanical stretch. Third, considered is the change of electric activity in response to mechanical stretch. Fourthly, considered are the role of Ca2+ in expression and secretion of proteins activated by mechanical stretch.