What causes increased afterload in the left ventricle when a patient has hypertension related to primary hyperaldosteronism?

💡 Explanation

Increased aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention, expanding plasma volume; this then leads to increased collagen deposition and arterial stiffness, thereby increasing afterload. This occurs because aldosterone-mediated fibrosis hardens the vessels, therefore arterial stiffness causes increased afterload, rather than vasodilation or decreased angiotensin II.

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