Ando et al used the change in heart rate after standing to identify someone who is at high risk for a vasovagal reaction after blood donation. The authors are from Saiseikai Futsukaichi Hospital and Fukuokaken Red-Cross Blood Center in Japan.
The standing test refers to the change in heart rate at 1 minute after standing up from a supine position.
heart rate change in beats per minute =
= (heart rate at 1 minute after standing) - (heart rate while supine before standing)
A heart rate change >= 15 beats per minute identified a patient at high risk for a vasovagal reaction.
The authors also found that drinking 300 mL of water prior to the blood donation reduced syncopal reactions afterwards. The rate of a vasovagal reaction was 19% without water ingestion vs 4% with.
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