1. What is Heart Pump Flow Rate?

Heart Pump Flow Rate (Cardiac Output) is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. It's a crucial measure of cardiovascular function and is calculated by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental cardiac output equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Cardiac output (L/min)
• \( SV \) — Stroke volume (mL)
• \( HR \) — Heart rate (beats per minute)

Explanation: The equation calculates the total blood volume pumped by the heart each minute by multiplying the volume pumped per beat (stroke volume) by the number of beats per minute.

3. Importance of Cardiac Output

Details: Cardiac output is vital for assessing heart function, determining oxygen delivery to tissues, and evaluating circulatory efficiency in both healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular disease.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter stroke volume in mL and heart rate in beats per minute. Both values must be positive numbers (stroke volume > 0, heart rate between 30-300 bpm for realistic results).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal cardiac output?
A: Normal cardiac output ranges from 4-8 L/min at rest in healthy adults, but varies with body size and metabolic demands.

Q2: How does exercise affect cardiac output?
A: During exercise, cardiac output can increase 4-5 times resting values due to increased heart rate and stroke volume.

Q3: What factors affect stroke volume?
A: Stroke volume is influenced by preload, afterload, and myocardial contractility.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This is a simplified calculation. Actual cardiac output measurement requires more sophisticated techniques like thermodilution or Fick method.

Q5: How does cardiac output relate to blood pressure?
A: Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance (BP = CO × SVR).