Re: Palpitations and Plasma Donation

Posted By Michelle on May 21, 1999 at 15:15:08
I've been donating plasma for 3 months on a regular basis(twice a week).  The past month my blood pressure has gone up and down, my pulse is consistently 100 beats (when I'm at rest), and my heart feels like it's going to beat right out of my chest.  My endurance has gone downhill--I can't even go up a flight of stairs without getting short winded and my chest feels like there's a block of concrete on it.  Otherwise I feel fine. I'm 34, I don't smoke, I'm not overweight, I exercise, and I don't take any medication (just an iron supplement).  Could the plasma donations be bringing on these symptoms?  Can it be anything serious?  I have a doctor's appt coming up for a physical but I thought I'd ask a cardiologist.

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD-APS on May 28, 1999 at 13:48:20
Dear Michelle,
There is no way for me to tell you what is wrong nor what is dangerous, however I can comment as such:  That seems like too much donating of plasma and likely you are anemic which is causing not only the resting tachycardia but also your symptoms (shortness of breath, etc.).  It is best if you stop donating until you are fully evaluated by your physician, if not an ER physician, whichever is quicker (the ER physician can evaluate the chest discomfort and shortness of breath to tell you how and if you are in any danger.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general
purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free
to write back with additional questions. Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call
1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff
that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.










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