tachycardia - oscarhummel

[oscarhummel]

hmm.  i have always had a faster-than-average heart rate, but recently i have cause to worry.  i went to donate plasma the other day and could not qualify due to my rapid at-rest heart rate.  it is some stroke of luck that at times allow me to pump at 100 bpm.  more often i am between 110 and 130 (at rest, mind you).
anyhow, i can only donate plasma if my heart rate is 100 or below.  any suggestions for lowering my scores?  thank you.

[oscarhummel]

thank you for your insight.
i am not overweight (one of the lucky few these days), but i am horribly out of shape.  i am not working right now due to a crippling depression and have been far too sedentary of late.  i am sure that more exercise will do the trick.
but how about any CHEATS? in the meantime?  so that i can at least get forty dollars for donating a liter of plasma.  heart-rate must be at 100bpm or less.
does anyone have any tricks for reducing the heart rate temporarily, in order to cheat a test?
i have tried using deep breathing techniques, coupled with willpower and lorazepam.  to no avail...

[MAB22]

Exercise.  Start low intensity walking program.  Your heart rate sounds high and the exact same thing happened to me.  I was turned down ffrom giving blood for slightly elevated temp and heart rate was high.  If you are overweight, lose some weight.  As long as your heart is okay structurally, may want a Dr. to take a look at this, you should be able to exercise.  The walking will strengthen your heart and make it more efficient and thus slow it down.  If your heart rate is elevated due to anxiety something else may have to be done.  I got sick about one year ago and was bedwritten for 2 1/2 weeks, heart rate went high and I have been on medication ever since to lower heart rate.  Try not to go on medication to lower heart rate, as it will change your life.  Not always in a good way.  I'm on Atenolol, a beta blocker, and believe me I would much rather to have lowered my heart rate by exercising.  However, no one ever told me this.  Check out Sally Edward's book, Heart Zones Training, to give more info on this.  Can find at amazon.  Best wishes with this.