What is the formula for calculating cardiac output?

The formula for calculating cardiac output is defined as the product of heart rate and stroke volume. Cardiac output, often denoted as CO, represents the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, which is essential for understanding how effectively the circulatory system is delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body.

The heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats in one minute, while stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected by the heart with each contraction. By multiplying these two values (heart rate and stroke volume), one can determine the total amount of blood being circulated throughout the body in a minute, which is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health and fitness levels.

Other options do not reflect standard cardiovascular principles or measurements. For instance, calculating cardiac output by elements unrelated to heart dynamics, such as blood pressure and stroke volume together in one formula, does not accurately represent how the heart functions in terms of output. This understanding is foundational in kinesiology and fitness assessments, as it helps practitioners evaluate an individual's cardiovascular efficiency and make informed training decisions.