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An ECG
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This is one of the seventh questions set in our ECG series. In this set, you will learn about ECG- rate, and rhythm.
This set includes many questions that you may need a paper and pen to calculate heart rates. If you never knew how to calculate heart rates before, then you will learn it today.
Don't need an explanation? Click here to get to the quiz section.
- Atrial rates are measured according to the P-P interval whereas the R-R interval is for ventricular rate.
- There are a couple of methods to calculate heart rate. You may not need all methods to solve multiple choice questions but you at least should know 2 methods to calculate heart rate when the rhythms are regular and irregular. Umm! confused? let me explain a little bit about rhythms.
- Atrial rhythm and ventricular rhythm
- you should check the P-P interval for atrial rhythm
- check R-R interval for ventricular rhythm
- Regular and irregular rhythms
- rhythm is regular when all PP or RR intervals are equal. For example, if all the PP intervals on a given ECG are of same length, you can say "that is regular atrial rhythm".
- if not all PP or RR intervals are of the same length, then they are irregular rhythms.
Alright, back to the rate:Find heart rate for regular rhythm:
- step-1 if the rhythm is regular, you can count how many boxes(squares) are present in between PP interval (for atrial rate) or RR interval (for ventricular rate). since the rhythm is regular, you could choose any PP or RR intervals, they are all same.
- step-2 use this formula:[1500/ number of small boxes] or you can use this formula:[300/ number of big boxes]. Both formulas give you the same heart rate.
That is it for regular rhythm. Easier than you thought right?
Find heart rate for irregular rhythm:
PP/ RR intervals are not equal in an irregular rhythm. If you used the above formula for irregular rhythm, you would get different heart rates for different PP/ RR intervals. Don't worry, it is easier than finding a heart rate for a regular rhythm.
- step-1 count the number of P waves (for atrial rate) or R waves (for ventricular rate) in 10 seconds long ECG strip. Then multiply by 6 to get heartbeats in 1 minute.[10 seconds*6=60 seconds]. That's it.
- Example: if I counted 12 P waves in 10 seconds long ECG strip, the atrial rate would be 72 bpm [12 P in 10 seconds, how many P in 60 seconds? 12*6= 72].
- Note: if you are provided an ECG strip of 15 seconds long, then you would just multiply by 4.[15 seconds*4= 60 seconds]
Now you are ready to take quiz.
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