What term describes the quantity of blood pumped by the heart in one minute?

The term that describes the quantity of blood pumped by the heart in one minute is cardiac output. Cardiac output is a critical physiological measurement that reflects the overall efficiency of the heart and circulatory system. It is calculated as the product of heart rate (the number of heartbeats per minute) and stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each heartbeat).

Understanding cardiac output is vital because it indicates how well the heart is able to meet the body's demands for oxygen and nutrients during various states, such as rest or physical activity. An increased cardiac output generally supports higher metabolic needs during exercise, while a decreased cardiac output can signal potential cardiovascular issues or heart failure.

In contrast, stroke volume refers specifically to the volume of blood ejected by the heart with each contraction, while ejection fraction is the percentage of end-diastolic volume that is ejected with each heartbeat, and venous return describes the amount of blood returning to the heart. Each of these terms contributes to understanding heart function but does not directly quantify the total volume of blood pumped in one minute.