Afterload
Afterload
Afterload (pronounced: af-ter-load) is a term used in cardiology to describe the pressure that the heart must work against to eject blood during systole. It is often related to the tension or stress experienced by the myocardium (heart muscle) during contraction.
Etymology
The term "afterload" is derived from the English words "after" and "load". It was first used in the medical context in the mid-20th century.
Definition
Afterload is the systemic vascular resistance that the left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood throughout the body. It is influenced by various factors such as blood pressure, vascular resistance, and the condition of the aortic valve. An increase in afterload results in a decrease in stroke volume and can lead to heart failure if not properly managed.
Related Terms
- Preload: The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole, immediately before contraction. Preload and afterload are closely related, as changes in preload can affect afterload.
- Stroke Volume: The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart in one contraction. It is directly affected by changes in afterload.
- Cardiac Output: The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is determined by the heart rate and stroke volume, and is influenced by changes in afterload.
- Ventricular Hypertrophy: An enlargement of the ventricles of the heart due to increased afterload. This condition can lead to heart failure if not properly managed.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Afterload
- Wikipedia's article - Afterload
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