Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting P or T waves in an electrocardiogram signal in intervals before and after each (previously) detected QRS wave. Within each interval, a candidate pair of samples are selected. If the candidate pair are separated by a time duration which does not exceed a predefined time duration then that pair is rejected and the process repeats. Otherwise, the area "A" of a closed polygon bounded by all of the samples between and including the candidate pair is derived (the polygon's base line extends linearly a distance "d" between the candidate pair of sample intervals). The maximum vertical displacement "h" between the base line and any portion of the polygon above the base line is derived. If "h" does not exceed a predefined minimum vertical displacement, then the candidate pair is rejected and the process repeats. Otherwise, a value Gamma=A*h/d is derived for the candidate pair.