An increased preload
A)decreases cardiac output.
B)increases stroke volume.
C)increases cardiac reserve.
D)increases afterload.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Preload is the amount of stretch on the ventricular walls at the end of diastole, just before contraction. An increased preload, such as with a greater volume of blood returning to the heart, can lead to an increase in stroke volume. This is because the stretched ventricular walls can contract more forcefully and eject more blood with each beat. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not describe the effects of increased preload on cardiac function.

An Increased Preload