Electrocardiograms measure the electrical impulse of the heart. The p wave is a measure of the atrial depolarization. The QRS complex is a measure of the ventricular depolarization and also atrial repolarization, however becasue ventrical depolarization is more powerful the atrial repolarization cannot be seen easily. The t wave represents ventrical repolarization. To calculate heart rate from an ECG, you count the number of boxes inbetween the two R intervals and divide 1500 by that number. A normal heart rate lies between 60-100 bpm. When the heart rate is below 60 it is called bradycardia, and when the heart rate is above 100 it is called trachycardia. There are many abnormalities that cause an ECG to appear funky. An AV blockage can cause the ECG to appear like the p wave is moving around or will be missing an QRS complex. Right bundle branch blockage (RBBB) can make the R intervals appear to be next to each other. Left bundle branch blockage (LBBB) can cause the S wave to appear like abnormal. Preventricular contraction (PVC) can cause random abnormalities through out the entire ECG. Left ventricular hypertension can cause the S segment to appear extremely long. Right ventricular hypertension can cause the R segment to be extremely elongated.
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