What are some not-so-obvious effects a person might experience if they were still conscious and active, but didn't have a heartbeat? [RE: Vampires]

I'm writing something in which the main character has become a vampire, or vampire-like entity, due to the influence of a Lovecraftian horror.

What are some things they, as a conscious person, may or may not experience due to a lack of a heartbeat that aren't immediately obvious and that aren't generally considered in fiction?

Some things I've already thought of are that, sweating, crying, blushing, sexual arousal, adrenaline rushes, and rash/irritation redness wouldn't be possible or noticeable. Also, apparent bruising would occur in the legs if the vampire stood or sat for long periods of time since the blood would settle due to gravity without the usual pressure. I'm also interested in how this might affect a person, psychologically. Assuming their personality was intact at the moment of transformation, how might the halting of lesser-known chemical processes (e.g. I know less dopamine means depression and impaired learning) affect this person mentally?

Basically, the horror's influence helps animate the character's body through a mixture of spacetime manipulation and psychokinesis in just enough ways for them to be a thinking, intelligent predator capable of harvesting blood through the desire to consume it. They also appear largely human and don't exhibit obvious signs of generalized hypoxia, like cyanosis. Though, their skin is a little paler than before and they're a bit cold to the touch. The character is still capable of logical thinking and, consequently, emotions, but I imagine their emotions and some thought-influenced bodily processes might be dulled or unbalanced due to the consequences of a nonexistent heartbeat. Thanks in advance, I hope you guys have some really obscure and interesting biology facts to lay down.

posted over 6 years ago

DoctorJerk‭

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