Can people with low blood pressure donate blood?

Are you looking for a way to do some good in the world, but your hypotension is holding you back? Fear not, dear reader! This article will answer all of your questions about whether or not you can donate blood with low blood pressure (BP).

What is Low Blood Pressure?

Before we dive into our question, let’s first take a brief moment to understand what we’re talking about. Low BP, also known as hypotension, is defined as having a reading below 90/60 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). This can cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting.

Who Can Donate Blood?

Let’s start by establishing the requirements laid out by Western Society for Blood Transfusion (WSBT) regarding who is eligible to donate:

  • Must be over age 18.
  • Must weigh at least 110 pounds.
  • Must pass a physical exam
  • No infectious diseases
  • Not using certain prescription drugs

Seems fairly straightforward so far right? It seems like anyone could just waltz on up there and give some of their precious life-giving fluids away. But hold your horses…

The Role Of Blood Pressure

Blood pressure plays an important role in determining if someone should or shouldn’t donate their whacky tobacco – I mean…blood. Because it determines how effective the heart performs its functions including how much work it has to do; too little effort from the ticker and there mightn’t be sufficient oxygen being delivered throughout various parts of the body which leads to complications that would then exclude one from donating red juice goodness otherwise.

The medical professionals responsible for screening potential donors are checking everyone’s blood pressures prior so they have any indication that light headedness/dizziness could become factors during donation time when pumping all that very vital crimson fluid along necessary channels within us humans.

How Does Blood Pressure Affect Donation Eligibility?

Now that we’ve established the importance of BP, let’s get to our main question: what does it mean for those with low blood pressure?

WSBT has an interesting take on this matter; there is no specific level that disqualifies someone from being a donor based solely on their blood pressure. Yes, you heard that right! As long as your reading falls within the range considered healthy by medical standards (90/60 to 120/80 mmHg), and you meet all other eligibility requirements we mentioned earlier, then you can donate to your heart’s content – at least until they tell you otherwise.

So while low blood pressure doesn’t mean automatic exclusion from donating plasma or whatever dairy products from one member of genus Bos taurus contains (see what I did there?), it is still essential to monitor and advise staff if any symptoms arise during the process so precautions can be taken.

Should You Donate If You Have Low Blood Pressure?

Just because WSBT says it’s okay doesn’t necessarily mean everyone should go out and donate without a second thought. Anyone considering giving liquid gold away must first consult with their doctor regarding suitability ensuring any potential contraindications don’t come into play whilst leeching off extremely valuable bio fluids…or blue milk maybe in Star Wars? Anyways…

And remember sweating over donations passes straight onto somebody else who receives bad stuff which just turns up again next week as returns- karma can be real fickle when we’re talking life and death, people!

Not only will consulting with your doctor before donation potentially improve safety measures however additionally raising awareness in general about BP health situations could help waiting patients requiring transfusions as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion folks, having hypotension doesn’t quite cut ties between good samaritans wanting more than mere service hours. If hypertension isn’t ruling out donation eligibility criteria and other requirements are met there’s no cause for celebration but definitely no need to be discouraged. Lastly, seeking approval from primary care professionals prior to spilling blood is the responsible thing to do ensuring your own health needs count as priorities whilst remaining open and transparent around donating aspirations altogether.

Until next time…

Random Posts