Low BP ???

After a short swim at the gym which btw wasn't relaxing at all. The pool was crowded with jokers out for a tan and crowding at the side of the pool instead of swimming. There were these 2 buggers who were tanning at the side of the pool and kicking in the water, perpendicular to the side of length of the pool!!! That made almost 2 invisible lanes of the pool inaccessible! WTF! I was really tempted to go over to these 2 very gay men to tell them to pls scram.

I headed next to HSA for my usual blood donation. I have been due for donation since 5 May but every weekend, I would book an appointment to go for my donation but I always never got around to doing it. So I finally managed to go down, and this time, without an appointment! That is just how life is huh ? Sometimes you can plan for it and things don't materialise and just when you stop planning, things fall shwee2 into place :P

Anyway, I expected a long wait since without an appointment would mean no priority queueing. I filled up the usual forms and waited like for 20-30mins for the counter staff to call me to verify my IC etc. Another 20 odd mins before my name was finally called to have the doc see me.

She asked the usual questions and started taking my blood pressure. "Hmmm ... your blood pressure is low" she said. She recorded "81/50" (can't remember the diastolic reading). "Let's measure you again" she strapped the other blood pressure band around my arm. "82/51"
"I'm sorry, your blood pressure is too low. I'm afraid you can't donate blood and I think you better rest today"

The doctor explained that for one to donate blood, the blood pressure must be at least 100/60 (i think). Win liao lor! Wasted an hour and now can't donate! Aiyo, and I can't imagine what those outside might think of me when I walked out of the doc's office and left!!!!!! They must be thinking I have some disease or *gasp* HIV+!!!! *faint* cham lah! :P

Low blood pressure isn't new to me as I have been told that my bp is low most of the times I went for my blood donation. But this is the first time I have been turned down!! *CRY*
I kept wondering what could have contributed to my low blood pressure and thought could it be the lack of food (coz I was hungry by then since my only meal was at 9+ and it was already close to 4 then). However, now that I just googled on "low blood pressure", seemed like food isn't the issue for low bp. But interestingly, one site claimed that

"Athletes and people who exercise regularly tend to have lower blood pressure than do people who aren't as fit."

Considering that this should be a reliable source ... I should be happy with what it said ? :P

But yet another site states that

"Incidence - Mostly short persons are found to have lower BP than taller persons. Also, sedentary obese patients suffer more commonly from low BP than active lean persons. Women have higher incidence of low BP than men. Also, some family members tend to have low BP without any symptoms. It may be normal for them."

Ah ? Then how ?

Anyway, I don't think any of those factors that contribute to low bp apply to me ... so think there is nothing really I need to be worried about. I do have the usual giddy spells or reeling sensation but it isn't something life-threatening la ...

Anyway, better luck next time. Shall try next weekend !