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.
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.
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.
- Register and make an appointment: Once you have registered as a blood donor online, you make an appointment, or head to a drop-in session.
Before you go: Getting a good night’s sleep beforehand, and having something to eat before you give blood, will help make sure you feel well and will help keep your blood sugar levels stable
When you arrive: When you arrive, you will be asked to read a welcome leaflet about donating blood and blood safety. You will usually be given 500ml (just under a pint) of water, to drink just before you give blood. This helps to make sure you don’t suffer any ill-effects from donating blood.
Health screening: You will be asked some questions to make sure your blood is safe for patients to receive. A drop of blood will be taken from your finger to check the iron levels in your blood. If you are able to donate, you will wait in a waiting area until you are called to an available donation chair.
Blood donation: After you’re made comfortable in the chair, a cuff will be placed on your arm to create a small amount of pressure during donation. The nurse will then insert a needle in your arm, and the blood will collect into a blood bag. Tensing and relaxing major muscles, such as your buttock muscles, helps to prevent your blood pressure dropping and reduces your risk of feeling faint or dizzy.
Scales weigh your blood: Once you have donated 470ml (just under a pint) of blood, the process will stop.
Dressing applied: The needle will then be removed and a sterile dressing will be placed on your arm.
Rest: It's advised you leave the pressure dressing on your arm for around 30 minutes. Take this time to rest in the relaxation area. Before you leave you will be encouraged to have a drink and a snack.
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 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:
Either you are undergoing regular check-ups but treatment has not yet started, or you have been taking the same dose of the same medication for 4 weeks or more and feel well.
You have not suffered from heart failure
You are not currently under investigations
You’ve not had amputation or blood vessel surgery
You’ve never had gangrene
You have experienced no problems with feeling faint, giddiness or fainting
You are not undergoing investigations or treatment for kidney impairment.
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.
