Final answer:
Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute, calculated by multiplying heart rate by stroke volume (CO = HR × SV). It is an essential indicator of heart function and can be influenced by many factors such as hormone levels, heart rhythm, and electrolyte balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cardiac output is defined as the volume of blood that is pumped out of the heart in one minute. This is a critical measure of heart function and overall circulation in the body. To calculate cardiac output, you would multiply the heart rate (HR) by the stroke volume (SV), which is the amount of blood ejected by a ventricle during a single heartbeat. Therefore, CO = HR × SV. Factors that can affect cardiac output include heart rate, stroke volume, and various physiological conditions that may alter these variables, such as exercise intensity or the presence of cardiovascular diseases.
Several factors influence both heart rate and stroke volume, including sympathetic stimulation, hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, and electrolyte levels in the body. Understanding cardiac output is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health and diagnosing various conditions. Healthcare professionals use this measure to make decisions about treatments and to evaluate the impact of drugs or other interventions on cardiac performance.