This paper examines the variability in the number of ECG beat annotations used across different studies utilizing the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, highlighting that 71% of reviewed methods employed an incorrect number of beats. The authors propose a function designed to standardize the beat count by accurately extracting the necessary annotations while removing non-beats, thereby enhancing the Waveform Database Toolbox (WFDB) for MATLAB. The research emphasizes the necessity of correct beat annotation for reliable ECG signal processing and subsequent cardiovascular diagnostics.