Heart Rate — ECG/EKG Terminology

Definition: The number of heartbeats per unit time, usually per minute, based on ventricular contractions. May be too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia).

Key Facts

• Ventricular rate is the number of QRS complexes per minute.
• Normal resting adult sinus rate is typically 60 to 100 bpm.
• Rate should be interpreted with rhythm regularity and clinical perfusion.

ECG Connection: Rate calculation is foundational for rhythm classification (bradycardia, normal, tachycardia).

Why It Matters: Rate trends often provide the earliest sign of deterioration on telemetry.