Editing Catecholamine (section)

===Effects===
Catecholamines cause general physiological changes that prepare the body for physical activity (the [[fight-or-flight response]]). Some typical effects are increases in [[heart rate]], [[blood pressure]], [[blood glucose]] levels, and a general reaction of the [[sympathetic nervous system]].{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} Some drugs, like [[tolcapone]] (a central [[COMT]]-inhibitor), raise the levels of all the catecholamines. Increased catecholamines may also cause an increased respiratory rate ([[Tachypnea|tachypnoea]]) in patients.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Estes|first=Mary|title=Health assessment and physical examination|publisher=[[Cengage]]|year=2016|isbn=978-0-17-035484-4|edition=2nd|location=[[Melbourne]]|pages=143}}</ref>

Catecholamine is secreted into urine after being broken down, and its secretion level can be measured for the diagnosis of illnesses associated with catecholamine levels in the body.<ref>{{cite web|title=Catecholamines in Urine|url=http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/catecholamines-14697#1|website=webmd.com|access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref> [[Clinical urine tests|Urine testing]] for catecholamine is used to detect [[pheochromocytoma]].