Final answer:
Cardiac output is influenced by various physiological factors, including sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation, hormonal levels, and electrolyte balance. These factors can either increase or decrease cardiac output, leading to changes in blood pressure and blood flow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cardiac output is the measurement of blood flow from the heart through the ventricles, usually measured in liters per minute. Any factor that causes cardiac output to increase, by elevating heart rate or stroke volume or both, will elevate blood pressure and promote blood flow. Conversely, any factor that decreases cardiac output, by decreasing heart rate or stroke volume or both, will decrease arterial pressure and blood flow. The physiological factors that contribute to changes in cardiac output include sympathetic stimulation, catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine), thyroid hormones, increased calcium ion levels, parasympathetic stimulation, elevated or decreased potassium ion levels, decreased calcium levels, anoxia, and acidosis (imbalance of acid/base levels in the body).