Afterload is
A) the name given to an increase in end-diastolic volume.
B) the arterial pressure that the ventricles must overcome to eject blood.
C) the amount cardiac output must increase during exercise.
D) another name for venous return.
E) the extent to which ventricular walls are stretched.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Afterload refers to the pressure in the aorta and peripheral arteries that the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood during systole. It is essentially the load that the heart must work against to pump blood out into the systemic circulation.

Afterload Is