I was doing my 1RM deadlift today (a measly 140 kg/308 lbs) and I think I had this: Orthostatic hypotension
I definitely felt detached from my body and light headed! It feels quite good and I almost burst out laughing!
I thought this might make for some interesting discussion...
Posted Mar 15, 2012, 9:25 PM UTC
that happens on my squats sometimes when I don't get enough to eat that day.
It's insane, feels like drugs! (probably)
I am drugs and yes it feels like drugs.
Unlikely that it's hypotension. Your blood pressure skyrockets during a deadlift (or pretty much any heavy weight lifting exercise) and will remain high after you finish. More likely you were getting some low blood oxygen levels going on, or you might have been hyperventilating (causing low CO2 level).
Yes you are right, I've modified my earlier post, valsalva causes reduced cardiac output, the body does compensate by increasing blood pressure, but ultimately in OP case I guess there's not enough compensation and results in a overall reduced cerebral blood flow and thus lower oxygen delivery (not necessary a lower partial pressure of oxygen in the blood).
Partial pressure, get you!
its probably because of you utilizing the valsalva maneuver. Orthostatic hypotension usually kicks in immediately when going from lying/sitting to standing up right. The valsalva maneuver is basically when you hold your breath and push, its a form of a vagal maneuver, by stimulating your vagal nerve, you induce bradycardia (low/slow heart rate) and the feeling of lightheadedness and almost fainting occurs,
Hope this is helped
I feel like a proper weight lifter now :)
Long story short guys, Vagal maneuvers (valsalva) stimulate the vagus nerve (CN X) which leads to bradycardia.
The combination of bradycardia and increased BP from the lift = the lightheaded euphoria.
Yeah I get that too sometimes after deadlifts/squats and I often get palpitations while it's happening.
It's not a good feeling when it happens to me, though. It feels more like I'm about to pass out.
But I just lean my back against the squat rack and take a few deep breaths and it goes away.
It's likely due to you doing the valsalva manoevre whilst lifting. This causes a reduction of blood supply to your head causing the dizziness.
I'm inclined to agree, since OP said it's on the 1RM. Additionally: hydration.
Any thoughts on whether this is dangerous?
If the blood flow is reduced enough, it can actually result in passing out, not so dangerous during the deadlift (example 1, example 2) but definitely more so during the squat, especially the clean and jerk.
Also need to add that as said before, blood pressure rises during these lifts (even though the actual blood flow actually decreases) Here is an example of nosebleed during a deadlift - (due to raised blood pressure in the nasal blood vessels). Although most people would be quick to blame the "arsenic in their whey protein" first!
Yeah, I sat down as soon as I felt it because I've seen "example 2" before!
It only occurs when I drop the weight, I feel fine at lockout.