What is the equation for Cardiac Output?

Cardiac output is a crucial measure that represents the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. It is determined by two main factors: the heart rate, which is the number of beats per minute, and the stroke volume, which is the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each contraction. The equation for cardiac output is expressed as a product of these two variables, specifically as cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.

This relationship highlights how the heart can adjust its output based on changes in either the rate of beating or the amount of blood pumped with each contraction. Thus, understanding this equation helps in evaluating heart function and can be essential when considering various physiological conditions or medical scenarios.

The other options do not accurately represent the relationship between heart rate and stroke volume in determining cardiac output.