Cardiac reserve refers to the difference between the rates at which the heart pumps blood - at any given time versus its maximum capacity. A measurement of the cardiac reserve may be a health indicator for some medical conditions. Cardiac reserve may be 4-5 times greater than a resting value for a healthy person.

Measurements

Cardiac reserve has been measured in different ways over the history of the test.^[1]

It is possible to make a non-invasive measurement of cardiac reserve.^[2]

Significance

A measure of cardiac reserve can help predict the likelihood of heart failure when indicated.^[3]

References