Myocardial contractility refers to the intrinsic ability of the heart muscle (myocardium) to contract and generate force during each heartbeat. This property is crucial for maintaining adequate blood flow and pressure throughout the body, especially during physical activity when the heart must pump more vigorously to meet increased metabolic demands. Factors affecting myocardial contractility include the availability of calcium ions, the health of the myocardium, and hormonal influences.
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