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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.