Topic: Cardiac output
and its regulation
Course: FLGX 317
Study Unit 4
, Questions Notes
1. Define cardiac output Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped out by each
(CO) ventricle and equals the product of the heart rate and stroke
W. p. 385. volume.
2. Name the two Heart rate and Stroke Volume.
cardiovascular CO = HR x SV
parameters that Heart rate-beat per minute
determine the CO and Stroke volume- blood volume ejected by each ventricle with each
discuss the factors that beat.
determine each. W. p Stroke volume decreases after blood loos but heart rate increases.
385-388
Major factors influencing heart rate.
Major factors affecting stroke volume:
changes in the end-diastolic volume-preload
changes in the magnitude of sympathetic nervous system
input to the ventricles
changes in the afterload- arterial pressures against which
the ventricles pump.
3. Explain the intrinsic The intrinsic ability of the heart to adapt to increasing volumes of
control of the heart inflowing blood-Frank-Starling mechanism of the heart.
function (preload). G. p. The greater the heart muscle is stretched during filling, the greater
119. is the force of contraction and the greater the quantity of blood
pumped into the aorta.
and its regulation
Course: FLGX 317
Study Unit 4
, Questions Notes
1. Define cardiac output Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped out by each
(CO) ventricle and equals the product of the heart rate and stroke
W. p. 385. volume.
2. Name the two Heart rate and Stroke Volume.
cardiovascular CO = HR x SV
parameters that Heart rate-beat per minute
determine the CO and Stroke volume- blood volume ejected by each ventricle with each
discuss the factors that beat.
determine each. W. p Stroke volume decreases after blood loos but heart rate increases.
385-388
Major factors influencing heart rate.
Major factors affecting stroke volume:
changes in the end-diastolic volume-preload
changes in the magnitude of sympathetic nervous system
input to the ventricles
changes in the afterload- arterial pressures against which
the ventricles pump.
3. Explain the intrinsic The intrinsic ability of the heart to adapt to increasing volumes of
control of the heart inflowing blood-Frank-Starling mechanism of the heart.
function (preload). G. p. The greater the heart muscle is stretched during filling, the greater
119. is the force of contraction and the greater the quantity of blood
pumped into the aorta.