Hitting peak heart rate after donating blood

[DanielleinDC]

Saturday I took part in a blood drive. I give myself a pass for not hitting my step goal because donating takes a lot out of me. Seriously, all I want to do once I'm done is eat something (if I didn't have lunch before my appointment) and then go home and sleep. And you're not supposed to do any exercise the rest of the day, so I don't.

The next day, more than 24 hours after my donation, my boyfriend and I walked to a nearby retail center because I needed a few things. About five minutes out, I checked my Fitbit and saw that I had hit my peak heart rate, around 147 bpm. I live in a city; I do a lot of walking. Unless I'm climbing a hill or walking a lot, my heart rate doesn't typically get that high.

I suspect the lower volume of blood means my heart had to work harder, but has anyone else experienced this?

[ChefSarah]

Glad I found this thread. I'm having a different issue though. I did a "power red" donation yesterday (they take 2 pints of red blood cells and put the plasma back). My Fitbit has been tracking my heart rate 7-10 beats low all day. I'm guessing it's because there's not at many red blood cells passing by the censors, but it's kind of annoying. All of my counts are thrown off. 🤷🏻‍:female_sign:

[Coder254]

I experienced this after donating blood. My heart rate shot to 123 and B.P 148. I had to seek medical assistance and all was well. But I guess this happened because I engaged myself in a flower planting activity before 24 hours were over.

[CElisio48]

Glad I am not the only one experiencing this. I donated 3 days ago and my Bp has been higher since the donation. I usually am at low 70s (Was in high 60s, trying to incorporate more exercise) for the most part but I’ve been in the high 70s and even mid 80s when putzin around the house and going for a walk. Last night I went out to dinner and had a couple of drinks with a girlfriend of mine and my bP at one point was 108 (highly unusual) and I could feel palpitations. So bizarre! This is the first time this has occurred since donating blood. My BP was 126/75 the day I donated but my hemoglobin count was 12.5 and that’s the cut off. Anything lower than that and they turn you away.  I previously donated 8 weeks prior so  the only thing I’m thinking is, don’t donate “back to back” . Thoughts? Do you feel better? 

[Coder254]

This is my second week now after donating blood. Am not yet comfortable after the donation. I got chest pains and difficulty in breathing along the throat. Went for check up and doctor says everything is normal. Pulse is high 90 but BP is normal. Got lot of shaking around the chest.

[JRomulus]

Constant use of the fitbit, and BP tracking helps you get to know your body so much better than just annual check-ups, especially as we age.

Changes in Resting heart rate happen for a reason, alcohol and blood donations are 2 reasons for it, but not the only ones.

[NYKayaker]

Thanks for your post. I appreciate everyone sharing.  I'm happy to find these posts as I donated for the 5th time this year last week and I haven't felt myself since. Never had this problem, never got sick.  My testing pulse is 64ish. I work out 5-6 times a week and my BP was 118/68 at blood drive.  13.8 iron. I went home and felt light headed.  Later got nauseous. That past quickly, I laid down and slept. But I still don't feel my normal self. 

I've been worried maybe I contacted covid and that caused this  (I'm vaccinated and still wear mask if in crowds, stores).  I've resumed working out but cut back.  I get tired quicker than I ever have.  It's crazy.  Thought about going to Dr but from these posts evidently increases heart rate is common.  BTW I'm mid 60s. Petite frame. Never smoked, don't drink alcohol or caffeine.  I like that my fitbit registers my pulse.  I've checked it and it always seems to be accurate.

[Hmkitten]

One thing about donating blood is that you are short on red blood cells and those little things deliver oxygen to your body. That means that your heart has to work harder to get more oxygen to your cells, hence the higher bpm.

[Behkee]

I'm also so glad I found this thread. I just did my first power red donation 2 days ago (have done plenty of whole blood donations) and it has really knocked me down. I just got my heart rate up to 133 while brushing my teeth. It seems it barely takes any effort to get my heart rate up after this donation and it takes everything I have to climb stairs. I've also had weird chest 'pains' that are concerning me. I don't think I will do a power red donation ever again because I've never had these types of side effects after a whole blood donation. I wonder how long it will take me to get back to normal. Yikes! 

[NYKayaker]

I only did whole blood, have given 5 times this year, and it took me 2 wks to get heartrate back to normal. Never happened before.  My Dr just ordered additional bloodwork. She said my typical bloodwork showed I was down 3 pts of blood based on numbers.  Strange. Hope you feel better soon. Might want to see Dr to confirm all is good. 

[SarahMLSSBB]

I am petite too and had my second successful donation ever this past Monday. I don’t like the increase in RHR, but it seems normal for some of us so phew. 

[curiousburke]

An increase in HR after blood donation was my expectation, but it's not what I experienced.  After blood donation my running performance dips, but I think my "max" reachable HR also goes down.  It's like my muscles can't work hard enough to drive the HR up as high.   I'm not saying this makes sense, it's just my observation of myself based on very little data.

[curiousburke]

I did a double red earlier this year and it took forever to get back to normal.  I have the same experience as you that my HR goes down after donation.  The last time I just did whole blood and that seems much better in terms of continuing normal exercise routine.

[Chas0575]

I donated blood 3 days ago and have also noticed my resting heart rate has increased. I am also weak. I really never realized how much it zaps your energy. Thanks everyone for all your comments. It looks like this is normal after blood donation.

[Corinne_Irene]

Thanks for the thread!

I‘ve been reducing my alcohol intake and normally when I do that, I drop HR 1-2 points every day I abstain. I‘ve been scratching my head as to why it hasn’t dropped after two days (had a celebration weekend). 

I put two and two together with my donation Tuesday evening. Makes complete sense! Especially as a 5‘2“ woman. I donate regularly and supplement with iron, but it’s probably more due to the fact that I was already dehydrated, had done a strenuous strength workout a few hours prior to donating, and did another strenuous workout midday yesterday. A lot of stress on the body. Glad to have to reassurance.

[EdmundC]

There are lots of things that can affect the pulse rate, for example exercise, watching a scary movie, a spouse rubbing your back, or the cat and dog running around the room and knocking over a chair ... all things that might boost the HR a little.  I see my HR jump up when I eat my toast and marmalade in the morning, a sudden jump of about 30 bpm every time ... it must be my body's reaction to getting all the vitamins and minerals that I'm likely to need (LOL, thanks Paddington).