Which is a short-term effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system?

Which is a short-term effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system?

• A. Increased heart rate
• B. Decreased heart rate
• C. No change in blood pressure
• D. Decreased blood pressure

Answer: (A)

When you begin exercising, your body needs more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the working muscles. To meet this demand, the heart rate increases right away, raising the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute (cardiac output). This quicker heartbeat is the immediate, short-term cardiovascular response to exercise, driven by the sympathetic nervous system increasing heart rate and contractility. Blood pressure does typically change during exercise as well, especially the systolic pressure rising with increased cardiac output, so a statement of no change in blood pressure isn’t as accurate for the immediate response. Decreased heart rate or a decrease in blood pressure aren’t typical short-term responses to starting exercise. So the best short-term effect is an increased heart rate.

When you begin exercising, your body needs more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the working muscles. To meet this demand, the heart rate increases right away, raising the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute (cardiac output). This quicker heartbeat is the immediate, short-term cardiovascular response to exercise, driven by the sympathetic nervous system increasing heart rate and contractility.

Blood pressure does typically change during exercise as well, especially the systolic pressure rising with increased cardiac output, so a statement of no change in blood pressure isn’t as accurate for the immediate response. Decreased heart rate or a decrease in blood pressure aren’t typical short-term responses to starting exercise.

So the best short-term effect is an increased heart rate.