What is cardiac output?

Cardiac output is defined as the amount of blood that the heart pumps in one minute, which is a crucial measurement in assessing the efficiency of the heart's function. It is calculated by multiplying the stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat) by the heart rate (the number of beats per minute). This concept is vital in understanding cardiovascular health, as it directly reflects the ability of the heart to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues while also eliminating waste products.

The other options describe related but distinct concepts. The total volume of blood in the body is known as blood volume, which is important for understanding overall circulatory system health but does not provide a measure of how effectively the heart is working to circulate that blood. Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, crucial for maintaining adequate flow but again not indicative of cardiac function on its own. Finally, the rate of heartbeats per minute, or heart rate, contributes to cardiac output but does not encompass the full definition of it, as it does not account for the volume of blood pumped with each beat. Understanding the precise definition of cardiac output allows healthcare professionals to better diagnose and manage various cardiovascular conditions.