Rate: Difference between revisions

[[Image:Ecgfreq.png|thumb| The countmethod to determine the heartfrequency. The second QRS-complex is between ''75'' and ''60'' beat per minute. This heartbeat is between that, around 65 beats per minute.]]

To anwer this question, determine the time between two QRS complexes. Previously, the ECG was registered on a paperstrip transported through an ECG writer at the speed of 25 mm/second. Nowadays, digital ECG registration is common however, the method of determining the frequency remains the same. The ECG paper has a grid with thick lines 5 mm apart (= 0,20 second) and thin lines 1 mm (0,04 second).  

# Count the small (1mm) squares between two QRS-complexes. Hense, the ECG paper runs with 25 mm/sec through the ECG writer, therefore:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Image:HFformule_en.png]]This method works well in case of tachycardia (>100 beats/minute)<br>

# To determine the frequency of a normal sinus ritme: Use the sequence 300-150-100-75-60-50-43-37. Count from the first QRS complex, the first thick line is 300, the next line 150 etc. Stop the sequence at the next QRS complex. When the second QRS complex is in between two lines, take the mean of the two numbers from the sequence or use the finetune method listed to the right.

# Non regular rhytms are best determined with the "3 second marker method" Count the number of QRS-complexes that fit in 3 seconds (some ECG writers register this period on the ECG paper). Multiply this number by 20 and find the number of beats/minute.  

|+'''The 'square counting' method can be finetuned with the following sequence'''