Tag Archives: pulse rate

Day 10: Be stiller, my beating heart

day 10

  • Weight: 123.0 lbs.
  • No workout today
  • Total inches: 116.6
  • Protein: 123 g (5 g over target)

My heart is slowing down. Apparently, that’s OK.

Every 8 weeks, I donate blood. (Coincidentally, I started shortly after Sept. 11, 2001.) As part of the clearance ritual, the Red Cross staff member checks my pulse rate. I expect it to be around 80 or 90 beats per minute, the usual.

I clocked in at 62. Whoa. I looked surprised. I was surprised.

Jamie, who had moved on to taking my blood pressure, asked, “Have you been working out?”

“Yes.”

Exercise lowers your pulse. It’s normal. With some athletes with a pulse under 50, we have to get a doctor to OK their donation.”

I had no idea, even after exercising on and off again over the years.

I’m not planning on measuring this daily, but it’s perhaps another sign that this program is moving in the right direction.