What is the symbol used to represent cardiac output?

Cardiac output is a crucial physiological measure that indicates the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. It is commonly represented by the symbol Q. This representation is used in various scientific and clinical contexts to maintain consistency across different studies and texts in exercise physiology, cardiovascular health, and related fields.

Q is derived from the term "quantitas," which is Latin for "quantity," reflecting the amount of blood being pumped. This measure is influenced by two primary factors: heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV). While heart rate refers to the number of beats per minute, and stroke volume is the amount of blood pumped with each beat, the product of these two values gives the cardiac output (Q = HR x SV).

Understanding that Q symbolizes cardiac output helps in interpreting physiological responses during exercise and developing appropriate training programs, as it indicates how effectively the cardiovascular system is functioning during various intensities of activity.