Normal Sinus Rhythm

A sinus rhythm is any cardiac rhythm that begins with depolarization of the cardiac muscle at the sinus node. The presence of correctly oriented P waves on the electrocardiogram characterises it (ECG). Sinus rhythm is required for normal electrical activity within the heart, but it is not sufficient.

The term normal sinus rhythm (NSR) is sometimes used to denote a specific type of sinus rhythm where all other measurements on the ECG also fall within designated normal limits, giving rise to the characteristic appearance of the ECG when the electrical conduction system of the heart is functioning normally. However, other sinus rhythms can be entirely normal in particular patient groups and clinical contexts, so the term is sometimes considered a misnomer and its use is sometimes discouraged.

ECG characteristics of normal sinus rhythm:

By convention, the term "normal sinus rhythm" is taken to imply that not only are the P waves (reflecting activity of the sinus node itself) normal in morphology, but that all other ECG measurements are also normal. Criteria therefore include:

1. Normal heart rate (classically 60 to 100 beats per minute for an adult).
2. Regular rhythm, with less than 0.16 second variation in the shortest and longest durations between successive P waves.
3. The sinus node should pace the heart – therefore, P waves must be round, all the same shape, and present before every QRS complex in a ratio of 1:1.
4. Normal P wave axis (+15 to +75 degrees)
5. Normal PR interval, QRS complex and QT interval.
6. QRS complex positive in leads I, II, aVF and V3-V6, and negative in lead aVR.

ECG example shows sinus rhythm

ECG rhythm strip shows sinus rhythm