Cardiovascular: MI, Heart Failure, Arrhythmias · USMLE Step 1

A patient with chronic hypertension has concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Which mechanism explains this?

  1. Increased preload
  2. Increased afterload
  3. Reduced contractility
  4. Valve regurgitation
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Increased afterload

Hypertension increases afterload, causing the ventricle to thicken concentrically to maintain stroke volume.

Difficulty: Medium Question 14 of 20

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