What is stroke volume?

The concept of stroke volume refers specifically to the volume of blood that is pumped out of one of the heart's ventricles during a single contraction or heartbeat. This measurement is crucial in understanding the heart's efficiency and overall cardiovascular health. Stroke volume is influenced by factors such as the strength of the heart's contractions, the volume of blood returning to the heart, and the resistance the heart must overcome to eject blood into the arteries.

This definition highlights the heart's function as a pump and is essential for calculating cardiac output, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps in a minute. Knowing the stroke volume helps medical professionals assess a patient’s heart function and diagnose various cardiac conditions.