How to Determine Heart Rate on an EKG

Determining the heart rate on an EKG is a rather simple process. Understanding what the lines represent will allow you to quickly and correctly identify the heart rate. In addition, an EKG provides a wealth of essential information.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify the waves. In order to determine the heart rate, you must first correctly identify the three waves. Use a chart to identify the P, T, and QRS complex (see Resources below).

• 2

  Locate the R wave. Within the QRS complex is the R wave. In a rhythmically normal heart, the R will be the highest wave. Count the number of small boxes between the pinnacle of one R wave and the next R wave.

• 3

  Divide 300 by the number of boxes between the R-R interval. For example, if the number of boxes between the R-R interval is 2, then divide 300 by 2. In this example, the heart rate would be 150 beats per minute.