How can I control my heart rate when trying to donate blood?
I have tried to donate blood about eight times over the course of a year. Every time, I am not allowed to donate because my pulse is too fast (usually around 120 bpm). My resting heart rate is about 80 bpm so that's likely not the problem. I have tried deep breathing, listening to music, therapy, even taking Xanax before, and nothing has worked. I am on anxiety medication but none of those cause elevated heart rate. Is there anything I can do to lower my heart rate in the moment?
Answers ( 1 )
You have White-coat reaction, it sounds like, meaning when you get face to face with health care professionals, your baseline vitals go up- does your blood pressure do the same? That one is the classic sign.
Plus you are on anti-anxiolytics, that is the crux of your problem: You have anxiety. Control that, and your heart rate/pulse/BP should come down
But so far, all the tricks you've tried haven't worked. I can think of only one more, and you will want to learn to do this with an instructor who is licensed or certified, or a verified expert and if s/he has experience with controlling vital signs, even better. Meditation.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333930474_Efficacy_of_Heartfulness_Meditation_in_Moderating_Vital_Parameters_-_A_Comparison_Study_of_Experienced_and_New_meditators
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Improvement-in-Vital-Signs-and-Mood-Indices-From-Meditation-a_tbl3_254082470
These are scholarly articles, so full of lots of information you may not need- but they demonstrate this stuff is studied.
I think, both personally and semi-hemi-demi professionally (I'm retired now), that an instructor in this specific type of meditation, and the practice it needs to be a part of your life, is important. I just don't see this working well with a Youtube video.
Because, if this doesn't work, there isn't much of anything left- you may have to resign yourelf to not giving blood.
Look around your area, ask those who may know, and find someone who can help you learn the proper meditative techniques to do what you need done.