A method of generating a template in an implantable medical device for implantation within a patient, and a processor readable medium for performing the method, that includes generating a template corresponding to a supraventricular rhythm of the patient, determining whether the template is valid, and monitoring the template to determine whether the template is an accurate representation of the supraventricular rhythm. The template is created from non-paced R waves that are below a predetermined heart rate, and a statistical validation of the template is performed by evaluating the template based on matches against ongoing slow heart rhythm. The quality of the template is continuously monitored, similar to the statistical validation, with the exception that one thousand beats are evaluated and once more than thirty out of the last one hundred beats do not match the template within the threshold, an attempt is made to create a new template.