What is the amount of blood ejected from the heart per unit of time called?

The amount of blood ejected from the heart per unit of time is known as cardiac output. This measurement is crucial for assessing the heart's efficiency in pumping blood throughout the body and is typically expressed in liters per minute. Cardiac output is determined by two primary factors: stroke volume, which is the volume of blood ejected with each heartbeat, and heart rate, which is the number of beats per minute. The relationship can be summarized by the formula: cardiac output = stroke volume x heart rate.

This concept is essential in understanding cardiovascular physiology, as it provides insights into the body’s ability to meet metabolic demands. In scenarios such as exercise or stress, an increase in cardiac output is necessary to supply adequate oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.