This document defines and provides normal levels for several cardiac measures including stroke volume, heart rate, resting heart rate, cardiac output, and maximum heart rate. It also defines blood pressure and lists the normal level. Key hormones that affect heart rate such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and acetylcholine are defined along with their pathways. Hypertension can be caused by high salt, cholesterol, or stimulant use. Embolism and aneurysms are also briefly mentioned.

1. Cardiac Health, Fitness and Disease

2. Stroke Volume
Abbreviation: SV
Normal Levels: 70 mL/beat
Definition:
Volume of blood pumped
from the heart with each
ventricular contraction

3. Heart Rate and Resting Heart Rate
Abbreviation:
HR and RHR
Normal Levels:
70 beats/min
Definition:
Number of contractions
of the heart within a
given amount of time.

4. Cardiac output
Abbreviation: Q
Normal Levels: 5L/min
Definition: Q= SV x HR

5. Maximum Heart Rate
Abbreviation: MHR
Normal Levels: N/A
Definition:
Highest heart rate
attainable when using
maximal physical effort
(will diminish with age).

6. Blood Pressure
Abbreviation: BP
Normal Levels: 120/80
Definition:
Measure of force of blood
in arterial wall.

7. Adrenaline
Definition:
Adrenaline is a hormone
that increases heart rate
Pathway:
Adrenaline SA node fires
more often  increase HR
 increase blood flow 
more O2 to muscles

8. Noradrenaline
Definition:
A hormone similar to
adrenaline that is also a
neurotransmitter between
neurons.
Pathway:
Increase cellular respiration
 increased CO2 in blood 
signals medulla oblongata
 signals nervous system 
release noradrenaline  SA
node fires more often 
increase blood flow  more
O2 to muscles

9. Acetylcholine
Definition:
Acetylcholine is a
hormone that decreases
heart rate
Pathway:
Fast HR  increase BP
 signal blood vessels
 signal medulla
oblongata  signal
nervous system 
release acetylcholine 
decrease SA node
action  decrease HR

10. Acetylcholine vs. Noradrenaline

11. Hypertension
• high salt – more water in
blood to dilute the salt,
increases volume needed to
be pumped
• high LDL cholesterol –
clogs arteries, reduces
elasticity, narrows vessels
• regular use of artificial
stimulants (caffeine,
nicotine, alcohol)

12. Embolism

13. Aneurysm
Bulging of the arteries