Which of the Following is True Regarding Cardiac Blood Flow

Question

Which of the following is true regarding cardiac blood flow?
A) In the normal heart coronary blood flow increases with exercise.
B) In a diseased heart coronary blood flow may be maximal at rest.
C) In a diseased heart exertion may cause ischemia and angina.
D) All of the above are true.

Accepted Answer

All of the options given are true regarding cardiac blood flow. Option A is true because increased exercise demands more oxygenated blood to be delivered to the heart muscle, thus increasing coronary blood flow. Option B is true because in a diseased heart, the blood vessels supplying the heart may be narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow and causing the heart to rely on maximal blood flow at rest. Option C is true because when the heart is diseased, exertion may increase oxygen demands in the heart muscle but reduced blood flow may not meet the increased demands, resulting in ischemia and angina.