What is stroke volume?

Stroke volume refers specifically to the amount of blood that the left ventricle pumps out during each heartbeat or contraction. It is a crucial measurement in understanding cardiac function and is integral to assessing the effectiveness of the heart in delivering oxygenated blood throughout the body.

By concentrating on the left ventricle, stroke volume highlights the heart's role in systemic circulation. This value can be affected by various factors, such as the volume of blood in the circulatory system, the strength of the heart's contractions, and the resistance in the blood vessels.

Other options relate to different aspects of cardiovascular function but do not define stroke volume accurately. The volume of blood returned to the heart and blood pumped through the right ventricle pertain to different physiological processes, while average blood pressure in the arteries is a measurement of vascular pressure rather than a volume measure. Understanding the precise definition of stroke volume helps clarify its importance in assessing heart health and function.