ECG Heart Rate Calculator

ECG Heart Rate Calculation:

\[ \text{Heart Rate (bpm)} = \frac{60}{\text{R-R Interval (s)}} \quad \text{or} \quad \frac{1500}{\text{R-R Interval (mm)}} \]

Heart Rate:

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1. What is ECG Heart Rate Calculation?

The ECG heart rate calculation determines beats per minute (bpm) by measuring the time interval between consecutive R waves (R-R interval) on an electrocardiogram. This is the most accurate method for determining heart rate from an ECG.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

\[ \text{For seconds: } \text{Heart Rate (bpm)} = \frac{60}{\text{R-R Interval (s)}} \] \[ \text{For millimeters: } \text{Heart Rate (bpm)} = \frac{1500}{\text{R-R Interval (mm)}} \]

Where:

R-R Interval — Distance between consecutive R waves
Standard ECG paper speed is 25 mm/s (1 mm = 0.04 s)
1500 comes from (25 mm/s × 60 s/min)

Explanation: The calculation converts the time between heartbeats into beats per minute. Shorter intervals mean faster heart rates.

3. Importance of Heart Rate Measurement

Details: Accurate heart rate measurement is essential for diagnosing arrhythmias, assessing cardiovascular health, and monitoring patients during procedures or exercise.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure the R-R interval carefully. For irregular rhythms, average several intervals. Enter the interval value and select the correct unit (seconds or millimeters).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use 1500 for mm calculation?
A: Standard ECG paper speed is 25 mm/s. 25 mm/s × 60 s/min = 1500 mm/min.

Q2: What if the rhythm is irregular?
A: For irregular rhythms, measure several R-R intervals and calculate the average before using the calculator.

Q3: What's a normal resting heart rate?
A: Typically 60-100 bpm for adults, but athletes may have lower normal rates (40-60 bpm).

Q4: How do I measure R-R interval on ECG?
A: Measure from the peak of one R wave to the peak of the next R wave.

Q5: Can I use this for atrial fibrillation?
A: In AFib, you should average multiple intervals due to irregularity. The calculator will give you the instantaneous rate for the entered interval.