How is cardiac output defined?

Cardiac output refers to the amount of blood that is pumped by each side of the heart (the left and right ventricles) in one minute. It is a critical measure of heart function and overall cardiovascular health, as it indicates how effectively the heart is supplying oxygenated blood to the body.

The calculation of cardiac output involves both the stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat) and the heart rate (the number of beats per minute). The relationship is expressed with the formula: Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume × Heart Rate. Thus, understanding cardiac output allows healthcare providers and fitness professionals to assess the heart’s efficiency and the body’s ability to meet its oxygen demands during different levels of activity.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the definition of cardiac output. The volume of blood in the body describes total blood volume rather than the function of the heart over time. The number of heartbeats per minute refers to heart rate specifically, not the volume of blood being pumped. The pressure in the arteries during heartbeats describes blood pressure, which is a different physiological concept altogether.