What is the difference between stroke volume and cardiac output?

Stroke volume and cardiac output are two important measurements used to assess the performance of the heart.

Stroke volume is the volume of blood that is ejected from the heart's left ventricle with each heartbeat. It is measured in milliliters (mL). Stroke volume is determined by several factors, including the preload (the amount of blood that fills the ventricle before the contraction), the afterload (the resistance against the ventricle must work to eject the blood), and the contractility (the strength of the heart's contraction).

Cardiac output is the amount of blood that is pumped out of the heart per minute. It is calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate. Cardiac output is a measure of the heart's overall performance and is influenced by several factors such as the body's need for oxygen, the activity level, and the heart rate.

In summary, stroke volume is the volume of blood ejected from the heart with each heartbeat, while cardiac output is the total amount of blood pumped out of the heart per minute.