Which of the following will occur with an increase in peripheral vascular resistance?
A) Decreased stroke volume
B) Increased ejection fraction
C) Increased preload
D) Decreased afterload

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increase in peripheral vascular resistance will lead to an increase in afterload, the force the heart must overcome to eject blood from the left ventricle. This increased afterload will result in a decreased stroke volume, the amount of blood ejected with each beat of the heart. As a result, cardiac output will decrease, which can lead to a decrease in systemic blood pressure. An increase in ejection fraction is unlikely since this is the amount of blood ejected from the heart relative to the amount of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole, and an increase in afterload would make it harder for the heart to eject blood. Increased preload, the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole, would not be directly affected by an increase in peripheral vascular resistance.

Which of the Following Will Occur with an Increase in Peripheral