What negative effect on the cardiovascular system is noted when acidosis severely impairs the heart muscle's ability to contract?
Answer
Decreased cardiac output
A significant consequence of severe acidosis, where the pH drops substantially below 7.35, involves direct negative impacts on the heart muscle's contractile function. Low pH hinders the heart's ability to efficiently generate the force needed for pumping blood. This impairment directly results in decreased cardiac output, meaning the volume of blood circulated by the heart per minute is insufficient to meet the metabolic demands of the body's tissues. Furthermore, severe metabolic acidosis often correlates with elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia), which greatly increases the risk of life-threatening, unstable heart rhythms.
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