1. What is Heart Rate Calculation from ECG?

The heart rate can be calculated from an ECG by measuring the distance between R waves (RR interval). This method provides an accurate assessment of heart rate based on the electrical activity of the heart.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard ECG heart rate formula:

Where:

• \( HR \) — Heart rate in beats per minute (bpm)
• \( RR\ interval \) — Distance between consecutive R waves in millimeters
• 1500 — Standard number representing the number of small squares per minute (25 mm/s × 60 s)

Explanation: The formula converts the distance between R waves into heart rate by accounting for the standard ECG paper speed of 25 mm/s.

3. Importance of Heart Rate Measurement

Details: Accurate heart rate measurement is crucial for assessing cardiac function, detecting arrhythmias, and monitoring patient condition during procedures or recovery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure the RR interval in millimeters between two consecutive R waves on the ECG tracing and enter the value. The RR interval must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use 1500 in the formula?
A: 1500 represents the number of small squares (1mm each) in one minute at standard ECG paper speed of 25 mm/s (25 × 60 = 1500).

Q2: What if my ECG paper speed is different?
A: The standard is 25 mm/s. For 50 mm/s, use 3000 instead of 1500 in the formula.

Q3: What are normal heart rate values?
A: Normal resting heart rate is 60-100 bpm for adults. Athletes may have lower normal rates (40-60 bpm).

Q4: How do I measure RR interval accurately?
A: Use calipers or a ruler to measure from the peak of one R wave to the next in lead II or whichever lead shows the clearest R waves.

Q5: What about irregular rhythms?
A: For irregular rhythms, average several RR intervals for a more accurate heart rate estimation.