Turned down at blood drive.

[devin0116]

This is my being upset on how I got turned down today to give blood because my pulse was too high.(112 yeah I know I don't like needles). But I was nervous so I don't understand why they couldn't let me wait a little bit and try again later.

Why is a high heart rate a problem I did a little research on the subject and apparently your heart increases to compensate for the loss of blood so if it is high from the beginning I could go into cardiac arrest.

Just thought it be nice to get opinions.

[CAPSmith]

You could try doing the "Valsalva Maneuver." You know when your ears feel like they're going to pop, so you plug your nose and try to breath out? That's the "Valsalva Maneuver."

Within a few seconds your body reacts to the increased internal pressure in your core, you get a slight decrease in pulse rate about 3-7 seconds after doing it, then it raises your pulse rate. At about the 25 second mark after performing the maneuver, your pulse rate should return to normal (assuming that you haven't done any cardiac activity like running or something...).

Besides nervousness/anxiety (White Coat Syndrome), you need to avoid caffeine or other stimulants that might raise your blood pressure.

Another thing that might raise your pulse rate is dehydration. If you are lacking fluid in your body, your plasma also become dehydrated. This decreases the volume in your blood stream so your heart needs to pump more blood for the same effect. So, hydrate the day before you give blood.

Combine a bunch of these and you'll go in with a "normal" heart rate so when it rises it won't be as high when you get nervous.

For long term help, do more cardiovascular activity. This will increase your VO2 max and cause your heart to work less - a result is a lower heart rate to begin with.

[Drill for life]

I got tunred down because I got a tattoo about two months before I tryed to give blood. The first time I gave bllod they injected this thing into my blood and it was cold, I was shivering.

[PaulR]

You could try doing the "Valsalva Maneuver." You know when your ears feel like they're going to pop, so you plug your nose and try to breath out? That's the "Valsalva Maneuver."

Within a few seconds your body reacts to the increased internal pressure in your core, you get a slight decrease in pulse rate about 3-7 seconds after doing it, then it raises your pulse rate. At about the 25 second mark after performing the maneuver, your pulse rate should return to normal (assuming that you haven't done any cardiac activity like running or something...).

Besides nervousness/anxiety (White Coat Syndrome), you need to avoid caffeine or other stimulants that might raise your blood pressure.

Another thing that might raise your pulse rate is dehydration. If you are lacking fluid in your body, your plasma also become dehydrated. This decreases the volume in your blood stream so your heart needs to pump more blood for the same effect. So, hydrate the day before you give blood.

Combine a bunch of these and you'll go in with a "normal" heart rate so when it rises it won't be as high when you get nervous.

For long term help, do more cardiovascular activity. This will increase your VO2 max and cause your heart to work less - a result is a lower heart rate to begin with.


Perfect, as stated above.

Although a pulse rate of 112 is a bit high, even with anxiety in the mix. Had you just completed PT or consumed caffeine/nicotine(Hopefully you are not a tobacco user).

Also, they should have let you relax and retaken it. It must have been really busy.

[armysc_25b]

At least you're eligible. I've been ineligible for the last year and a half (and still am until February 1) because of my time in Korea. It happens, just try again another time. I know the first blood drive they have after Feb. 1, I'll be there.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Every time I give blood the nurse finds a vein in about five seconds because my pale skin allows them to see right through my arm.

[AFKaydet]

I'll be donating blood tomorrow during my lunch hour... er well I should be at least. I still have to sit through the billion and one questions they ask before I get approved but I have a feeling that the questions won't present a problem.

[devin0116]

Well, it was the end of the day so I think it was because they just wanted to leave. I did well on all the other tests my non-fasting glucose was 93 and blood pressure 100/80. Well theres next semester, I will try again and get an early appointment so if I do have Heart rate problems again I may be able to try again at the end of the day. I had waited in a seated line for and hour and a half so no I did no PT/excersise. I had an orange, pizza, and water before I attempted to give.

Although I had weight lifting 3rd hour and I tried to give fourth but I went to lunch in between them so I should have calmed down enough.

[Drill for life]

Thats wierd man. Where you in uniform or Civvies?

[devin0116]

"civies". I was suppose to be helping, since I'm in JROTC we wear our AFJROTC unit T-shirt so I had that on and a jacket, but no uniform.

[armysc_25b]

Thats wierd man. Where you in uniform or Civvies?
Why on earth does it matter what attire he had on!? Unless he was wearing something like spandex which is tight on your body, clothes won't make a difference in ability to donate blood.

[PaulR]

Why on earth does it matter what attire he had on!? Unless he was wearing something like spandex which is tight on your body, clothes won't make a difference in ability to donate blood.


:D I was thinking the same thing, but I kept quiet. I feel that I have been busting on the poor kid too much the past 48 hours.

[Drill for life]

I was jsut asking because when my friend tred to give blood(he was wearing Class B's) they said he could't give blood becasue he was reperesenting the United States military and could only give blood thru the military(it doesnt make sense he tole the lady he was in AJROTC at the schol and she still said no). I always have though that was wierd. PaulR you haven't been busting on me I've just been posting stupid threads.:D

[SlightlyCatholic]

I was jsut asking because when my friend tred to give blood(he was wearing Class B's) they said he could't give blood becasue he was reperesenting the United States military and could only give blood thru the military(it doesnt make sense he tole the lady he was in AJROTC at the schol and she still said no). I always have though that was wierd. PaulR you haven't been busting on me I've just been posting stupid threads.:D

I have never heard of anything like this happening at any blood drive anywhere...

[Drill for life]

Well it happened at my school. They denied half-of the people that came out to give blood for some reason or another. Well we also had half of our school trying to give blood(they all wanted out of class:D).

[flyBoy2010]

At my school, they give away free T-Shirts to get people to donate.

[armysc_25b]

...I've just been posting stupid threads.:D

And that might be one of the smartest comments I've seen you make...

[Airbourne Infantry]

Personally, I've never given blood. I had my blood drawn once for medical tests but that's about it. Even now, I don't even know what my blood type is. I think it's O Positive but I'm not sure :o

[PaulR]

I was jsut asking because when my friend tred to give blood(he was wearing Class B's) they said he could't give blood becasue he was reperesenting the United States military and could only give blood thru the military(it doesnt make sense he tole the lady he was in AJROTC at the schol and she still said no). I always have though that was wierd. PaulR you haven't been busting on me I've just been posting stupid threads.:D

That does not sound right at all... They are taking everyone the can get on the table(that is medically acceptable to donate). I think that your friend is pulling your leg.

[Drill for life]

And that might be one of the smartest comments I've seen you make...

Hahahah, very funny armysc_25b.

[StarLifter]

You can also do what's known as a vagal maneuver.

Basically, try to take a poop without actually taking a poop.

I know it sounds absurd, but it literally forces your body to relax.

I've had patients with pulse rates of 270 (Supraventricular Tachycardia)who've brought their pulse back down to high 80's and 90's just by doing so (not often, but it's kind of cool when it happens lol). In a normal body, it should drop the pulse rate by at least 10 to 20 beats per minute. It's a pretty interesting explanation of why some people pass out on the can...

Also, next time, when waiting in line to get your vitals taken, perform some basic breathing exercises. Since pulse rate often enough is directly related to respiratory drive, controlling your breathing (should be between 18 and 20 respirations a minute when you're awake) should help you to control your pulse, and actually might relieve some of the tension you experience from the anxiety brought on by thinking of a needle stick.

-- StarLifter

[SlightlyCatholic]

You can also do what's known as a vagal maneuver.

Basically, try to take a poop without actually taking a poop.

I know it sounds absurd, but it literally forces your body to relax.

I'd be too afraid to do that in public. I know places where that would get you arrested...

[flyBoy2010]

I'd be too afraid to do that in public. I know places where that would get you arrested...

Why would someone be arrested for doing that?:dontgetit:

[SlightlyCatholic]

Why would someone be arrested for doing that?:dontgetit:

It's a joke...or maybe an attempt at one. Carry on.:lookaround:

[PaulR]

I thought that it was funny! :D

[Drill for life]

It did happen, I was there. They turned down a lot of people. Vagal Manuver heard of it but didn't believe.

[PaulR]

I can believe that many people were turned away. From the drives I set up at my base, about 10-15% are turned away for one reason or another. Lots of things come into play... medications, medical history, drug and alcohol use, places they may have lived or been to, and etc.

[devin0116]

Correct, I never realized how much of a pain it was until I did it. I had to fill out a 51 questionaire(?) and they did a blood test, blood pressure, pulse, and a few other things. I thought they were going to deny me because I has just gotten back from a vacation to the Bahamas the day before.

[PaulR]

Nope... no problems with the Bahamas!

[flyBoy2010]

My SASI can't donate because he was in England at the time of the Mad Cow outbreak.

[Drill for life]

There are alot of requirements to give blood. There's almost as many requirements to join the U.S. Air Force. Hahaha I'm joking, there are alot of different factors you know. It changes alot and all we have to do is smile and just donate so we can maybe save somebodies life.

[devin0116]

Well the blood drive is returning to our school soon, Im going to try and donate again, any tips or anything else? Wish me luck!

[StarLifter]

Yeah -- get your blood pressure taken prior. If it's that low, and your heart rate is still up, it might be wiser not to donate. Low blood pressure plus high heart rate equals hypovolemia, or low blood volume in your body. The piece about having a high heart rate and getting a heart attack falls more in line with the lack of adequate blood in the system, and thus the lack of adequate perfusion, or oxygenation to the heart. If it happens again, you might want to talk with your doctor about this issue. It could point to anemia, or something possibly more serious.

-- StarLifter

[devin0116]

Well thanks everyone, just like to say that I donated this time. Pulse was 92, still nervous but not nearly as bad.