What does ejection fraction indicate about the heart's function?

Ejection fraction is a crucial measurement used to assess the heart's efficiency and performance. It specifically indicates the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the ventricles with each heartbeat compared to the total volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole (when the heart is full). A normal ejection fraction typically ranges from 55% to 70%, indicating a healthy level of cardiac function.

Understanding ejection fraction is essential when evaluating conditions such as heart failure or cardiomyopathy, as it gives insight into how well the heart is working to supply the body with oxygenated blood. When the ejection fraction is low, it suggests that the heart is not pumping effectively, which can lead to various complications.

The other options focus on different aspects of heart function that do not directly relate to the specific measurement that ejection fraction provides. For example, the amount of blood stored in the ventricles relates to preload but does not describe the efficiency of pumping. The rate of heartbeats per minute indicates heart rate but does not reflect the volume of blood ejected. Volume of blood flow after exercise is about hemodynamics but does not pertain to the percentage of blood ejected per heartbeat. Thus, the correct understanding of ejection