What is a typical consequence of increased afterload?

Study for the Valencia College Paramedic Program Test. Prepare with flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Increased afterload refers to the pressure against which the heart must work to eject blood during systole. When afterload rises, the heart faces greater resistance, which results in a greater workload. This increased workload can lead to several physiological consequences, such as hypertrophy of the heart muscle over time as it adapts to the increased demand.

In this context, the body may try to compensate for higher afterload, but the primary outcome is indeed an increase in the amount of work the heart must perform to maintain an adequate cardiac output. Therefore, the increase in afterload directly correlates with increased heart work, making it the correct answer.

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