ECG Rate

• Understanding rate & rhythm:

  • each small square represents 0.04 seconds, whereas every large square represents 0.2 seconds, so 5 large squares would represent 1 second

  
• Finding rate & rhythm:

  • counting the amount of R waves within 30 large squares (6 seconds) tells us the amount of contractions within 6 seconds
  • times this by 10 to get the amount of contractions in 60 seconds, which determines heart rate
  • if the space between each R wave is different sizes, it indicates an irregulate heart rate, whereas if the space between each R wave is equal, it indicates a regular heart rate

  
• • can also find heart rate by doing 300 divided by the number of large squares between 2 QRS complexes or 1500 divided the by the number of small squares between 2 QRS complexes
• • heart rate more than 120 bpm = tachycardia
  • heart rate less than 60 bpm = bradycardia - can be seen in athletes, but also can be caused by medication such as beta blockers