1. What is ECG Heart Rate Calculation?

ECG heart rate calculation is a method to determine the number of heartbeats per minute by measuring the distance between R waves on an electrocardiogram. The "300 rule" is a quick estimation method commonly used in clinical practice.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard ECG formula:

Where:

• \( HR \) — Heart Rate in beats per minute (bpm)
• Large Boxes — The number of 5mm squares between R waves

Explanation: Each large box on ECG paper represents 0.2 seconds. Since there are 300 large boxes in one minute, dividing 300 by the number of large boxes between R waves gives the heart rate.

3. Importance of Heart Rate Measurement

Details: Accurate heart rate measurement is essential for assessing cardiac function, detecting arrhythmias, monitoring patient condition during procedures, and evaluating response to treatments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Count the number of large boxes between two consecutive R waves on the ECG strip and enter this value. The calculator will compute the heart rate in beats per minute.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if the rhythm is irregular?
A: For irregular rhythms, it's better to count the number of QRS complexes in a 6-second strip and multiply by 10 for a more accurate measurement.

Q2: What is a normal resting heart rate?
A: Normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60-100 bpm. Athletes may have lower resting rates (40-60 bpm).

Q3: Are there other methods to calculate heart rate from ECG?
A: Yes, other methods include the 1500 method (counting small boxes) and the 6-second method for irregular rhythms.

Q4: How accurate is the 300 rule?
A: The 300 rule provides a quick estimate but may be less accurate for very fast or very slow heart rates compared to more precise methods.

Q5: What are the limitations of this calculation?
A: This method assumes regular rhythm and may be inaccurate if the ECG paper speed is not standard (25mm/s) or if there are significant artifacts.