What is the relationship formula for cardiac output?

The correct formula for cardiac output is represented by the relationship CO = SV x HR, where CO stands for cardiac output, SV is stroke volume, and HR is heart rate. This formula shows that cardiac output, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute, is directly determined by two key factors: the volume of blood pumped per heartbeat (stroke volume) and the number of heartbeats per minute (heart rate).

To break it down further, stroke volume refers to the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each contraction, while heart rate indicates how often the heart revolves (beats) in a minute. When you multiply these two components, you arrive at the total output of blood supplied to the body by the heart over a specific time period, providing a critical metric for understanding cardiovascular health and efficiency.

Other choices do not accurately reflect the relationship between stroke volume and heart rate in determining cardiac output. For instance, adding or subtracting heart rate and stroke volume (as seen in some incorrect options) does not capture how these physiological factors interact to create the volume of blood pumped by the heart within one minute. Therefore, understanding the correct application of multiplication rather than addition or subtraction is essential in accurately describing cardiac output.