Controlling your heartbeat by will?

[Donald877]

Hello,

I have been wondering one thing which i hope you can give me an quick answere to. I have no medical training at all, but as far as I know, the opinion about the mechanics that controll the heart is that it works indepenently of the will.

When I meditate, i can somtimes reach a "state of mind" where I can increase/decrease the rate of my heartbeat only by thinking "I want my heart to beat faster or slower". My heart obeys me immedietley.

How is this possible? Is it common? Should I be worried?

This is no joke, I am serious and hope you dont think I am wasting your time.

Thanks for reading.

My best regards
Ulf

[worried784]

Please tell me how to do this.  I am desperate for any help lowering my rapid heart rate.
Thank you

[Donald877]

Thank you very much!

[tickertock]

no meditation , practically at will.

[fwilson]

Biofeedback.  Very common.

[Donald877]

Thanks for your answeres.

But its is not really like relaxing and taking a deep breath and my heartrate will go down, I mean I am relaxing and breath deeply under meditation but then I can make my heart go from normal heart rate to my max heart rate within a minute. It felt like I could go on and make it go even faster, but of course I decided it was enough.

Is it like this for you too Tickertock? Is it with or without meditation?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

That is normal.  You can slow your heart rate by relaxing or even taking a deep breath.  Nothing to worry about.

[tickertock]

i can do the same thing, always could, i'm also aware of every heartbeat.