What result does a high level of vascular resistance indicate?

A high level of vascular resistance indicates poor cardiovascular health because it means that the blood vessels are constricted or not functioning optimally, which can lead to increased pressure within the cardiovascular system. When vascular resistance is high, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed vessels, which can contribute to various cardiovascular issues such as hypertension or heart failure.

This situation often reflects underlying problems such as atherosclerosis or other conditions that affect the elasticity and diameter of blood vessels. These factors can negatively impact overall cardiovascular health because they can lead to increased workload on the heart, reduced efficiency in blood flow, and other complications that arise from chronic high blood pressure.

In contrast, improved blood flow typically corresponds with lower vascular resistance, proper kidney function does not directly correlate with high vascular resistance, and increased cardiac output generally occurs when resistance is lowered and the heart can effectively pump blood.