White coat elevated heart rate?

3506string · #1 03-29-2011, 03:49 PM

Okay I've been doing a interview process for a job. So far I've been golding until a recent pre-work screen. I passed the physical they said my heart rate was slightly elevated and to be sure not to drink any caffeine or energy drinks when I have my pre-work screen.

So I go for the pre-work screen and my heart rate was like 138bpm. My BP was normal. I will admit I was pretty jittery from them telling me my HR was elevated at the physical so that probably didn't help at all.

So they sent me to the Plant doctor and my HR was around 120ish, BP still fine. They let me set for 20min and it was hovering around 100+ BPM. 100BPM is the cutoff so they had to send me home until the next hiring cycle.

Now I have heart monitor at home and my resting HR is around 70-78BPM. I do remember hearing someone saying something about whitecoat hypertension, but the doc said "but his blood pressure is fine".

Is it possible that I am subconsciously afraid of doctors and that is causing my heart rate to be elevated? Is there a way for me to chill out my mind around docs. I've tried some deep breathing and got my HR down in the 60's but it doesn't do me much good at home.

i_got_a_mohawk · #2 03-29-2011, 03:51 PM

Tried some anti-anxiety treatments? (non-pharmaceutical ones).

3506string · #3 03-29-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Tried some anti-anxiety treatments? (non-pharmaceutical ones).

I haven't tried any remedies yet. I've kind of been digging through the net for something natural that has reports of working. One of the nurses recommended something I can't for the life of me remember, but she said she could technically "recommend" it because it was a medical dosage.

Stilettoprefer · #4 03-29-2011, 04:42 PM

NOT METH!

MJ5150 · #5 03-29-2011, 04:42 PM

It is possible, yes.

-Mike

sandmangeck · #6 03-29-2011, 08:36 PM

take some beta blockers.

knucklehead G · #7 03-29-2011, 08:41 PM

I had the same problem two years ago, they let me sit in a room by myself for ten minutes then immediately put the thingy on my arm and I passed just fine. Doctors make me nervous.

lunarpollen · #8 03-30-2011, 12:07 AM

Weird, what kind of job is it that you'd need to pass such screening criteria???

knucklehead G · #9 03-30-2011, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

Weird, what kind of job is it that you'd need to pass such screening criteria???

http://www.goarmy.com

3506string · #10 03-30-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

Weird, what kind of job is it that you'd need to pass such screening criteria???

Goodyear Assembly

Gomeztool · #11 03-30-2011, 11:21 AM

Hmm. Referring to the Fox Haskell HR tables, 138 is exercise zone for most of us. Please see your doctor and find out why your HR shoots up that high when you're not exercising.

electracoyote · #12 03-30-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3506string

Is it possible that I am subconsciously afraid of doctors and that is causing my heart rate to be elevated? Is there a way for me to chill out my mind around docs.

Picture them naked.

And taking rectal temperatures on each other.

i_got_a_mohawk · #13 03-30-2011, 01:23 PM

We want his heart rate to go down, not to go up through arousal . . .

arbitrary · #14 03-30-2011, 04:14 PM

Here's what you do: wear a white lab coat every time you have sex. When you go in next time you'll get massively erected. Or maybe eat steak while wearing a white coat so you'll get hungry or something.