What it means
The rhythm a healthy adult heart shows on the ECG. Each beat starts in the SA node, so every QRS complex has one upright P wave before it, the spacing between beats is even, the PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds, and the QRS is narrow (under 0.12 seconds). The same pattern under 60 is sinus bradycardia, and over 100 is sinus tachycardia.
In a chart
"Monitor shows normal sinus rhythm at 78, no ectopy."
At a glance
| Spanish | ritmo sinusal normal |
|---|---|
| Also written | NSR |
Related terms
electrocardiogram
A test that records the heart's electrical activity as waves on paper or a screen.
dysrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.
impulse
An electrical signal that travels along a nerve or through the heart muscle; also, a sudden urge to act.
cardiac monitor
A machine that shows the heart's electrical rhythm on a screen without stopping, using electrodes on the chest.