The cardiac reserve is the:
A)ability of the heart to speed up when necessary
B)ability of the heart to pump more forcefully
C)difference between resting heart rate and maximum exercise heart rate
D)difference between resting cardiac output and maximum exercise cardiac output

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cardiac reserve is the difference between the resting cardiac output (the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute at rest) and the maximum exercise cardiac output (the maximum amount of blood the heart can pump per minute during exercise). It reflects the ability of the heart to increase its output when needed, making D the best choice. A and B are incorrect as they refer to the mechanism by which the heart achieves this increased output, rather than the reserve itself. C is also incorrect as it only describes the difference in heart rate, not the difference in cardiac output.

The Cardiac Reserve Is The