What is the effect of sustained handgrip maneuver on afterload?

The sustained handgrip maneuver leads to an increase in afterload. This effect occurs because the handgrip maneuver is a form of isometric exercise that raises systemic vascular resistance. When a person squeezes their hand, especially for a prolonged period, the increased muscle contraction results in enhanced vascular tone. This leads to a rise in blood pressure as the heart has to work against higher resistance in the systemic circulation, effectively increasing afterload.

In terms of hemodynamics, afterload is defined as the pressure that the heart must generate to eject blood during systole. When afterload increases, the heart faces a greater workload to maintain cardiac output. Clinically, this maneuver can be used to assess cardiovascular responses in various conditions, particularly in patients with heart failure or valvular heart disease, to gauge their ability to manage increased afterload.

The other options relate to different hemodynamic parameters or do not accurately capture the physiological response to the handgrip maneuver. Understanding this reaction helps clarify how changes in vascular resistance influence cardiac function and blood flow dynamics during physical stress.