ECG Heart Rate Calculator
This calculator helps you determine your heart rate from an electrocardiogram (ECG) by measuring the time between R-waves. A standard ECG paper moves at 25 mm/second. You can use the distance between two consecutive R-waves (RR interval) to calculate your heart rate.
Your Calculated Heart Rate:
— bpm
How to Calculate Heart Rate from ECG
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a crucial diagnostic tool that records the electrical activity of the heart. To calculate the heart rate from an ECG strip, you need to measure the time between two consecutive R-waves (the tallest peak in the QRS complex). This interval is known as the RR interval.
Method 1: Using RR Interval in Millimeters (Standard ECG Speed)
Standard ECG paper typically moves at a speed of 25 mm per second. This means that every millimeter on the paper represents 0.04 seconds (1 second / 25 mm).
Formula:
Heart Rate (bpm) = (60 seconds/minute) / (RR Interval in Seconds)
Since the ECG speed is 25 mm/second, the RR interval in seconds can be calculated as:
RR Interval in Seconds = RR Interval in Millimeters * 0.04 seconds/mm
Substituting this into the heart rate formula:
Heart Rate (bpm) = 60 / (RR Interval in Millimeters * 0.04)
This simplifies to:
Heart Rate (bpm) = RR Interval in Millimeters / 0.04 * 60 / 60 = RR Interval in Millimeters / 0.04
Which further simplifies to:
Heart Rate (bpm) = RR Interval in Millimeters * 25
However, the most common and easiest method on a standard 25 mm/sec ECG is:
Heart Rate (bpm) = 1500 / (Number of Small Boxes between R-waves)
Or, if you measure the distance in millimeters:
Heart Rate (bpm) = 60 / (RR Interval in Millimeters * 0.04)
Let's use the direct measurement in millimeters for simplicity in this calculator:
Heart Rate (bpm) = 60 / (RR Interval in Millimeters * 0.04)
Example Calculation:
Suppose the distance between two consecutive R-waves on your ECG strip is measured to be 15 mm.
- RR Interval in Millimeters = 15 mm
- RR Interval in Seconds = 15 mm * 0.04 sec/mm = 0.6 seconds
- Heart Rate = 60 seconds / 0.6 seconds = 100 bpm
Using the simplified formula for this calculator:
Heart Rate = 60 / (15 * 0.04) = 60 / 0.6 = 100 bpm