cardiovascular drift

car·di·o·vas·cu·lar drift

(kahr'dē-ō-vas'kyū-lăr drift) The gradual time-dependent "drift" in several cardiovascular responses, most notably decreased stroke volume (with concomitant heart rate increase), during prolonged steady-rate exercise. The progressive increase in heart rate with cardiovascular drift during exercise decreases end-diastolic volume and hence stroke volume.