What term refers to the volume of blood pumped from the heart in one minute?

Cardiac output is the term used to describe the volume of blood that the heart pumps in one minute. It is a crucial measurement in understanding heart function and overall circulatory health. Cardiac output is calculated by multiplying the heart rate (the number of times the heart beats per minute) by the stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected by the heart in one beat). This measure reflects the efficiency of the heart and its ability to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing waste products.

Other terms provided in the options refer to different aspects of cardiac physiology. For instance, stroke volume specifically pertains to the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat, while end systolic volume refers to the volume of blood remaining in the ventricle after contraction. Preload volume relates to the initial stretching of the cardiac muscle fibers prior to contraction, influenced by the volume of blood returning to the heart. While all these terms are significant in cardiac physiology, cardiac output directly answers the question regarding the total volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute.