Which of the following is a feature of the fight-or-flight response?

• A. Increased heart rate
• B. Decreased blood pressure
• C. Slower breathing
• D. Decreased muscle tension

Answer: (A)

When a threat is perceived, the body rapidly activates the fight-or-flight response, a quick surge of sympathetic nervous system activity that prepares you to act. A central feature of this arousal is an increased heart rate, which raises cardiac output so more blood—and the oxygen and energy it carries—reaches the muscles ready for action. This heightened heart rate is what you’d expect as the body primes itself for either confrontation or escape.

The other options don’t fit with this response: blood pressure tends to rise rather than fall during arousal, so decreased blood pressure isn’t a feature. Breathing tends to become faster and deeper to supply more oxygen, not slower. And muscle tension actually increases to ready the body for movement, not decrease.