Do you feel like you can't work as hard as you used to? Do you feel dizzy when you walk a short distance or climb a flight of stairs? Perhaps the reason for this is that your heart's efficiency, that is, the speed at which it pumps blood, has decreased. In medicine, today we are going to talk about a very important measurement that measures the efficiency of the heart. That is Cardiac Output . Don't be afraid when you hear this name, let's understand it very simply.
Simply put, what is Cardiac Output?
Very simple. Cardiac Output is the total amount of blood your heart pumps into your body in one minute. This is measured in liters. Think of your heart as a water motor. Cardiac Output is how many liters of water this motor pumps out per minute.
Doctors calculate this with a simple equation:
``Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate''
Now you're probably wondering what these two new words mean. Let's explain that too.
- Stroke Volume: This is the amount of blood your heart pumps into your body when it beats once . In our water motor example, it's like the amount of water the motor pushes out when it works once.
- Heart Rate: You probably know this one. This is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Normally, in a healthy person, this is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
When you exercise, your body needs more oxygen. This oxygen is carried throughout the body by the blood. So at that time, the body works to increase cardiac output by increasing both the heart rate and the amount of blood pumped at one time. It's a very amazing mechanism, isn't it?
What are the symptoms of decreased cardiac output?
If the body does not receive enough blood, that is, if the cardiac output decreases, various symptoms may appear. Do not ignore these as normal fatigue.
It's especially important to take care of yourself if you're feeling so tired that you can't get the work done you used to.
Below are some of the main symptoms of decreased cardiac output.
| Symptom | What does this mean? |
|---|---|
| Feeling very tired quickly | Extreme fatigue occurs when the body's muscles do not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need from the blood. |
| Difficulty exercising | Not being able to run or walk as far as you used to. Difficulty breathing when you exert yourself. |
| Swelling of hands and feet | When the heart cannot pump blood properly, fluids in the body cannot circulate properly and can accumulate in the limbs. |
| Shortness of breath | This condition can occur especially when walking or bending over. It can also affect the lungs. |
| Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain | These symptoms may also occur due to decreased blood flow to the digestive system. |
If you have these symptoms, the best thing to do is to see your doctor immediately for advice.
How do doctors measure cardiac output?
There are several ways to measure this. Some are very simple, while others require special tests done in a hospital.
- Transthoracic Echocardiography (Echo test): This is like a scan of a baby. It is painless. It can check the function of the heart, its size, and the condition of the valves. This can give the doctor a good idea of the stroke volume.
- Heart MRI: This is another scan method that takes detailed images of the heart.
- Right Heart Catheterization: This is the most accurate way to measure cardiac output. In a hospital, a specialist inserts a thin tube (catheter) into the heart through a vein in the arm or leg and measures the pressure inside the heart and the oxygen levels in the blood. This allows for a very accurate calculation of cardiac output.
- Other methods: In addition, a rough idea can be obtained by attaching electrodes to the body and measuring breathing through special equipment.
Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate test for your condition.
What are the causes of decreased cardiac output?
There are several reasons that can affect this. Some of them we can control, while others need to be managed with medical treatment.
| Factor | Simply put, what happens? |
|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | Imagine you are walking against a strong wind. Similarly, when the pressure in your blood vessels increases, your heart has to work harder to pump blood against it. Over time, your heart can become weak. |
| Older Age | As we age, the walls of the heart become thicker and less flexible. As a result, it cannot fill with blood as quickly as it used to. This also reduces the amount of blood it pumps. |
| Damage caused by a heart attack | When the heart muscle is damaged due to a heart attack, its pumping ability can be permanently reduced. |
| Abnormal Heart Rhythms | For example, in a condition like Atrial Fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart do not contract properly. As a result, the lower chambers do not fill with blood properly and the amount pumped is reduced. |
| Aortic Stenosis (narrowing of the heart valve) | When the valve connecting the main blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood from the heart to the body becomes narrow, it cannot pump out as much blood as needed. |
| Heart infections or other diseases | Conditions such as infection of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or thickening of the membrane around the heart (constrictive pericarditis) can also impair the heart's pumping ability. |
How to increase cardiac output?
The good news is that this condition can be largely controlled by making a few simple lifestyle changes and following the treatment prescribed by your doctor. A strong heart and healthy circulatory system are the keys to this.
Remember, a healthy heart is the gateway to a healthy life. It's worth making a small sacrifice.
Here are some things you can do:
- Exercise regularly: Even something as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day can be very good for your heart. However, before starting any exercise program, it's important to talk to your doctor to find out what's right for you.
- Control cholesterol: Eat foods that lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
- Control diabetes: If you have diabetes, take the medication prescribed by your doctor exactly as directed and keep your blood sugar levels under control.
- Healthy diet: Reduce the intake of oily, fried foods, foods high in salt and sugar as much as possible. Include fruits, vegetables, greens, and small fish in your diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight: As body weight increases, the load on the heart also increases.
- Stop smoking and tobacco use completely: these are the biggest enemies of the heart and blood vessels.
- Control your blood pressure: If your doctor has prescribed medication, take it on time.
Knowing how well your heart is working can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and see if the treatment you've prescribed is working. So if you have any questions or concerns, be open and honest with your doctor. The more informed you are about your health, the better your chances of getting the best results.
Take-Home Message
- Cardiac output is the amount of blood your heart pumps per minute. This is an important measure of the heart's efficiency.
- Symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling of the limbs may be signs of decreased cardiac output.
- This condition can be well controlled by making healthy lifestyle changes (exercise, good diet) and following your doctor's advice.
- If you are experiencing any heart-related discomfort, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
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