An Increase in Venous Return Causes an Increase in Cardiac

Question

An increase in venous return causes an increase in cardiac output.This is accomplished by
A) a (+) inotropic effect.
B) depolarization.
C) Starling's law of the heart.
D) a (+) chronotropic effect.

Accepted Answer

Starling's law of the heart states that the more the heart is filled during diastole (due to increased venous return), the more forcefully it contracts during systole, resulting in an increase in cardiac output. Choices A, B, and D are all related to changes in heart rate or contractility, but they do not directly explain the increase in cardiac output seen with increased venous return.