Answer
In the condition of atherosclerosis, fatty plaques are stored in the walls of arteries. This stiffens these blood vessels and causes them to lose their elasticity. One consequence is a decrease in compliance. Less compliant arteries can store less of the energy of a ventricular contraction at systole. To maintain normal blood flow and blood pressure the heart has to pump harder than normal.
Work Step by Step
Atherosclerosis of arteries results in stiffer arteries which are less compliant, and less able to store the energy of ventricular contractions. As a consequence, the heart has to worker harder to maintain normal blood pressure and flow rate. Hypertension and cardiomegaly (left ventricular) are pathological syndromes that may result from these circumstances.
