What does giving blood involve, and can you give blood if you’re a heart patient?By donating blood, you can help save lives. Emily Ray explains what giving blood involves, and whether you can give blood if you have heart disease. Show
Why is it a good idea to give blood?Blood is something that we all need – especially if you are having major surgery or have a condition such as anaemia or some blood disorders and some cancers. There are eight main blood types, although some are rarer than others. Blood type O negative can be used in everyone, for instance if someone needs emergency surgery and staff don’t know which blood type they are. For this reason, O negative donors are often called ‘universal donors’. However, O negative donors only make up 9 per cent of the UK population, so it’s important to receive blood donations from the other blood types too. According to NHS Blood and Transplant, around 135,000 new donors are needed every year in England to ensure demand can be met. Every day around 5,000 donations are needed to meet the needs of patients. Each unit of donated blood is separated into different parts, including red blood cells, platelets and plasma. This means that every donation of blood can potentially save up to three lives. What does giving blood involve?There are thousands of donation venues around the UK, either temporary centres which are set up for specific dates or permanent sites.
How long does it take to give blood?It can vary, but allow around one hour and 15 minutes for your appointment. The actual donation of blood takes just 8-10 minutes, but this can vary depending on factors such as your medical history, and you need to allow time for the screening beforehand and for at least 15 minutes of relaxation while you have a drink and snack (which will be provided) afterwards. Where can I give blood near me?If you live in England, find your nearest place to donate by entering your city, town or postcode into the NHS Give Blood website. Welsh residents can find their nearest place to donate on the Welsh Blood Service website, Scottish residents on Scotblood, and Northern Ireland residents on the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service website. Can I give blood if I’m a heart patient?It depends. If you have had a heart attack or stroke, have heart failure or take heart medications – such as anti-clotting drugs - you are sadly not able to donate blood. If you have had heart bypass surgery or other heart surgery for a heart defect that you were not born with, you cannot give blood. If you have had surgery for a heart defect you were born with (a congenital heart problem), contact your local blood service (contact details can be found at the bottom of this page). You must not donate if you need medication to control an abnormal heartbeat, including heart palpitations. You also must not donate if you get any symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness and extreme tiredness. Can I donate blood if I’m taking statins?It can depend. NHS Blood and Transplant recommend that anyone taking statins who wants to give blood should call them on 0300 123 23 23. They will ask you some initial questions including why you are taking statins and whether you’re experiencing any symptoms from them.
Can I give blood if I have high or low blood pressure?Yes, you can donate blood if you have high or low blood pressure. Let staff know any medication you are on before the start of your session. However, if you have low blood pressure and feel faint or dizzy, you will not be able to give blood. Those with high blood pressure can donate as long as you meet the following guidelines:
How often can you give blood?If you’re a man, you can give blood every 12 weeks. Women can give blood every 16 weeks. How old do you have to be to give blood?You must be between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have donated blood before) to give blood. Can you give blood if you have a tattoo?You should wait for 4 months from the date of your tattoo before you give blood. This includes semi-permanent make-up and microdermabrasion. Can people with diabetes give blood?If you have type 2 diabetes, you can usually donate if you don’t need treatment, of if you have been taking diabetes medication that isn’t insulin for four weeks or longer. It’s important to mention any medication you are taking to staff when you go to give blood. You normally can’t give blood if your diabetes requires insulin treatment, or if you have complications resulting from your diabetes. If you have had gangrene, contact your blood service (see below) to discuss your eligibility to donate blood. National blood servicesEngland: NHS Give Blood helpline on 0300 123 23 23 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm) Scotland: Scotblood on 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 7pm; Friday 9am to 5pm) Wales: Welsh Blood Service on 0800 25 22 66 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm) Why can't I donate plasma with high blood pressure?Low or High Blood Pressure
To donate plasma at Parachute your blood pressure must be above 90/50 and below 160/100 on the day of donation. If your blood pressure falls below this range, you're more likely to experience side effects like dizziness or fainting. So you'll be deferred from donating on that day.
Does donating plasma mess with your blood pressure?Conclusions: Results suggest that systolic and diastolic blood pressure may be decreased following plasmapheresis used for plasma donations at intervals of <14 days in donors with high baseline blood pressure levels.
Whats the highest blood pressure you can have to donate plasma?The Red Cross requires someone presenting to donate to have a blood pressure measurement of below 180 systolic (top number) and below 100 diastolic (bottom number) at the time of donation.
What are reasons you can't donate plasma?You can't donate plasma if you:. have had most types of cancer.. have some heart conditions.. have received blood, platelets, plasma or any other blood products after 1 January 1980.. have tested positive for HIV or HTLV.. have had an organ transplant.. are a hepatitis B carrier.. are a hepatitis C carrier.. |