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Afterload Reduction

Meaning

Afterload reduction, in a clinical context, refers to the physiological or pharmacological decrease in the resistance the ventricles of the heart must overcome to eject blood during systole. This action directly lowers the systemic or pulmonary vascular resistance, thereby decreasing the workload placed upon the cardiac muscle. Optimizing this parameter is crucial for maintaining efficient cardiovascular function and preventing myocardial strain. In the broader context of systemic wellness, efficient cardiac output is fundamentally linked to optimal tissue perfusion, which is necessary for endocrine gland health and hormone transport throughout the body.