What typically occurs if there is a significant increase in afterload?

A significant increase in afterload refers to the higher resistance the heart must overcome to pump blood. This increased resistance impacts the heart's ability to effectively eject blood during systole. As a result, the heart may struggle to maintain adequate stroke volume, leading to a reduction in the overall volume of blood pumped out with each heartbeat.

When afterload increases, the workload of the heart intensifies, and if the heart cannot adjust appropriately (for instance, through compensatory mechanisms), the cardiac output will decline. Cardiac output is the product of stroke volume and heart rate, and since stroke volume is impeded by increased afterload, cardiac output ultimately decreases as a consequence.

In contrast, an increase in stroke volume or rapid heart rate may occur as the body tries to compensate for drops in cardiac output or blood pressure, but if the afterload remains consistently high, the heart is likely unable to keep up with those compensatory efforts. Thus, the correct response aligns with the physiological understanding of how increased afterload affects cardiac performance.