What is the normal standard for calibration of an EKG machine?

The normal standard for the calibration of an EKG machine is typically set at 25 mm/sec for the paper speed. This means that each second of electrical activity from the heart is represented by a 25 mm distance on the EKG strip. This calibration allows for an accurate representation of the heart's rhythms and is used universally in most EKGs.

The standard gain setting is usually 10 mm/mV, which means that a voltage increase of 1 mV will cause the EKG tracing to rise 10 mm in height. This combination of a standard paper speed and gain is what ensures consistent, interpretable tracings across different EKG machines and settings.

Understanding this normal standard is crucial for interpreting EKGs, as variations in calibration can lead to misinterpretation of heart activity.