How is cardiac output calculated in relation to blood pressure and resistance?

Cardiac output is an essential measurement that indicates the amount of blood the heart pumps in a minute, and it can be calculated using the relationship between blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance. The correct formulation relates blood pressure to resistance, particularly through what is known as the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR).

In this context, the correct relationship takes the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, while diastolic pressure is the pressure during the heart's resting phase. The difference, often referred to as the pulse pressure, is crucial as it indicates the driving force of blood through the vascular system.

The basic equation linking cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is given by:

[ CO = \frac{MAP}{SVR} ]

To derive MAP in a simplified scenario, it can be approximated as:

[ MAP \approx \frac{(Systolic Pressure + 2 \times Diastolic Pressure)}{3} ]

However, for the purpose of understanding the relationship presented in the options, focusing on the difference between the systolic and diastolic