How is cardiac output calculated?

Cardiac output is a critical physiological parameter that measures the amount of blood the heart pumps in a minute. It is calculated using the formula: cardiac output equals stroke volume multiplied by heart rate. Stroke volume refers to the volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each heartbeat, while heart rate is the number of beats the heart makes in one minute. Therefore, the calculation reflects both how much blood is being pumped with each beat and how often the heart is beating, providing a comprehensive measure of the heart's effectiveness in delivering blood throughout the body.

This calculation is vital in assessing heart function and overall cardiovascular health, as it helps clinicians understand how well the heart is performing under different conditions. The other choices do not accurately represent the accepted formula for calculating cardiac output.