A patient has heart failure and cardiac output is decreased. Which formula can the nurse use to calculate cardiac output?

A) Myocardial contractility * Myocardial blood flow
B) Ventricular filling time/Diastolic filling time
C) Stroke volume * Heart rate
D) Preload/Afterload

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in one minute, an important measure of heart function and efficiency.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart in one contraction, indicating the heart's efficiency in pumping.

Myocardial Contractility

The ability of the heart muscle (myocardium) to contract or shorten, which is a key factor in the heart's function to pump blood.