afterload

Afterload is the force or pressure the heart must overcome to eject blood into the arteries during each contraction. Think of it like pushing a door open; if the door is heavy or the hinges are stiff, more effort is needed. In the body, increased afterload can occur if blood pressure rises or if the arteries become stiff or narrowed. It’s an important factor in heart function because higher afterload means the heart has to work harder to pump blood, which can affect overall cardiovascular health over time.