Pulse rate

[Jenn8298]

Does breathing into a paper bag change your pulse rate? If so, how?

[curmudgen]

Read this web site for information -
http://firstaid.about.com/od/shortnessofbreat1/f/07_paper_bags.htm

[cindy707]

As you sit here and read this post you are breathing anywhere from 21% to 26%  02 from the room that you sit in or breath in that amount outdoors.  The theory with a paper bag is basically the same as that of having an oxygen cannula placed over your nose.  So basically an 0-2 tank regulates your breathing condensing the amount of oxygen going into your system because the paper bag only allows you a measured rate of oxygen into your system which obviously is a much much higher rate than breathing normally and can fall anywhere from the 70% range up to the low 90's and the C02 levels are actually removed somewhat which is good for us to some level.  That is why when people hyperventilate we tell them to breathe into a paper bag because it basically forces them to breathe at a measured rate which is what you want.  As far as the heart goes the benefit to it i suppose would be that you are forcing more 02 into the body which the heart loves and regulates the pulse rate because your breathing becomes measured at an optimum rate/scenario.  Your heart to me would beat in a more regular rate say if you were full of anxiety or stressing out.  I don't know i am just tossing the ball up into the air on this one....however it is something that i do know something about when i train EMT's, etc.  Hope it answered your question a little bit.

[is_something_wrong]

No it increases the respiratory rate, because the air in the paper bag contains less oxygen.

I would assume that would increase the heart rate (because the heart must work harder to supply the body with oxygen that isn't really there so it's a somewhat failing process). Anyway, you should only be breathing in a bag if you start to hyperventilate due to anxiety. Otherwise this is unhealthy and in worst case dangerous.

[Jenn8298]

I guess I should have been more specific, sorry. If you are breathing normally, not hyperventilating and not under anxiety, into a paper bag how will it change your pulse rate? I know it slows down your respiratory rate, but am getting conflicting results when testing pulse rate. Some subjects are getting an increase and some are getting a decrease.

[is_something_wrong]

Well, heavy breathing makes your heart rate change but I really don't understand your question. Why are you breathing in paper bags? It can stop hyperventilation (which is often caused by anxiety) and relieving the anxiety can reduce the heart rate but other than that I don't understand it.

[curmudgen]

Depends when you do it and what you do it for.  Every thing you wanted to know is on this web page   http://www.ehow.com/about_5296591_breathe-paper-bag.html