1. What is the ECG Heart Rate Calculation?

The ECG heart rate calculation estimates the heart rate based on the distance between R waves (RR interval) on an electrocardiogram. This method is commonly used when the rhythm is regular.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard ECG heart rate formula:

Where:

• \( HR \) — Heart rate in beats per minute
• \( RR_{interval} \) — Distance between consecutive R waves in millimeters
• 1500 — Constant representing the number of small squares per minute (25mm/s paper speed × 60 seconds)

Explanation: The formula works because ECG paper moves at 25mm/s, with each small square being 1mm (0.04s). There are 1500 small squares per minute (25 × 60).

3. Importance of Heart Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate heart rate measurement from ECG is essential for diagnosing arrhythmias, assessing cardiac function, and guiding treatment decisions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure the RR interval in millimeters between consecutive R waves on ECG paper and enter the value. The calculator works best for regular rhythms.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What if the rhythm is irregular?
A: For irregular rhythms, average several RR intervals or use the "300 divided by number of large boxes" method.

Q3: What are normal heart rate values?
A: Normal resting heart rate is 60-100 bpm. Below 60 is bradycardia, above 100 is tachycardia.

Q4: Does this work for pediatric ECGs?
A: Yes, the formula works the same, though normal ranges differ by age in children.

Q5: What if my ECG was recorded at different paper speed?
A: For 50mm/s paper speed, use 3000 instead of 1500 in the formula.