Final answer:
An imbalance in cardiac output between the right ventricle and left ventricle can lead to serious circulatory issues such as heart failure or pulmonary hypertension, hence why they need to be equal for optimal functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the cardiac output (CO) of the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) are not equal, it can lead to a variety of cardiovascular problems. The cardiac output is a measure of the efficiency of the heart and is calculated by multiplying the heart rate (HR) by the stroke volume (SV), which is the amount of blood the ventricle pumps out with each beat. An imbalance between the outputs of the RV and LV can lead to blood pooling and pressure changes in the lungs or peripheral tissues, which can result in heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or other circulatory system issues. It's crucial for the cardiac outputs of the RV and LV to be matched to maintain optimal circulatory function.