What differences would you expect to see in a diseased heart with high peripherial resistance as compared to the healthy heart of an athlete?

Answer 1

A diseased heart (as a result of high peripheral resistance or hypertension) would likely be representative of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In this pathologic condition, the heart has lost functional cardiac muculature and contains fibrous tissue in its place. Furthermore, the heart becomes dilated and ceases to perform adequately as a pump.

In contrast, the healthy heart, especially the one of an athelete, is comprised of robust cardiac muscle tissue. In this healthy state, the heart can work easily and effortlessly to pump more than the usual volume of blood, when called upon.