Video - ECG rate and rhythm

The heart is a muscle that regularly beats to pump blood throughout the body. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, which shows how fast and strong the heartbeats are.

The heart rate refers to the number of contractions of the heart per minute. This one can vary according to an individual's age, but usually, the normal heart rate for adults falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. The rhythm refers to the pattern of electrical impulses that cause the heartbeat. The normal cardiac rhythm is a regular sinus rhythm, which means that each heartbeat follows a predictable pattern. There may be abnormal rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation, both serious and life-threatening conditions.