How to pass a pulse test when nerves make it go too high?
Question:
What can I do to pass this stupid machine? They only let you do it once a day. Would holding my breath help me pass? Taking non-aspirin or something to calm myself? Don't say breathing techniques, they don't work and you can't do it with the thermometer in your mouth. If I could take something that wouldn't affect my blood work that would be great. Please help, I need to pass this stupid machine and I just can't control my stress and anxiety! HELP!!
Answers:
I see no reason why they shouldn't let you read a book, any doctor or nurse worth their salt knows what is commonly termed "white coat syndrome" It is simply that some people, like yourself, get so nervous when going to the doctors office that their pulse rate and blood pressure increase.
Holding your breath wont help, in fact it will make it worse because your body is sensing lack of oxygen and the heart will pump faster to try and compensate.
If they refuse to let you read a book, maybe you can go to another doctor who doesn't have a problem with that and have the physician statement of what pulse was.
I included a link about white coat syndrome and while it speaks of increase blood pressure, it goes with out saying that an increase in pulse rate is part of the picture. It is not the white coats but the doctors exam room or table that causes the anxiety.
You have White Collar stress problems. Being tested causes you to have abnormal vital signs. When I had a physical recently, my blood pressure was much higher than normal, but normal when I had it checked last week. I was nervous. There isn't much to do about it. The people testing you should understand that some people don't respond well to being poked and prodded for vital signs. Maybe doing one thing at a time might help. If they're doing a bunch of things at once, it could cause you more stress.
Try googling 'relaxation techniques'.
If your pulse is always over 100 you are tachycardia. That is the definition of tachycardia.
If you are really anxious there is not much you can do to make your pulse normal, short of taking anti-anxiety medications or medications such as beta blockers to slow your pulse.
See if you can get a Holter monitor. It is a device which will monitor your heart over a 24 hour period. If you are anxious you will not stay tachycardia for the entire period you are monitored. However, if you indeed have a true medical condition which should be treated it may help diagnose it.
Why do you have to take this test, and why does it create such anxiety?
Can you ask the person administering the test to let you do the temperature reading separately so you can try breathing techniques (if they usually work for you)? Or try some relaxation/breathing/biofeedba... techniques immediately before the test. Ask a friend to help keep you focused while you're waiting.
Alternately, see your regular physician and ask him/her for a note either allowing you some extra time to calm yourself for the pulse reading, or explaining that although you are not tachycardic your normal resting pulse is (xxx), and to take that into consideration.
Without knowing what the test is for, why it's required and why you "need to pass," that's all I can think of. I can't think of anything where a pulse rate would be that important and where you'd have to keep doing it until you pass; unless it's something like to get out of jail or something like that, I'd say screw it, they can get someone else to take their d*mn test.
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