Blood Donation Against Hypertension

Doing good and benefiting from it - this is easily achieved by hypertension patients through regular blood donation. Not only do people in urgent need of donor blood (whether due to illness or an accident) benefit from this, but also the blood donor themselves, who suffers from high blood pressure. Blood donation is often possible even while taking blood pressure-lowering medications. The assessment of whether a blood donation is possible with the current medication is up to the donation doctor on site.

Since a whole blood donation typically involves the removal of about 500 ml of blood, it is not surprising that blood pressure drops immediately. This is due to the temporarily reduced blood volume circulating in the body. Therefore, it is important to drink after donating blood and to avoid physical exertion. The "lost" volume is quickly replenished. However, it takes up to two months to regenerate the various blood components, depending on the component. Performance is not restricted during this time.

The blood pressure-lowering effect is not only short-term for donors with hypertension but also sustainable. The Charité in Berlin observed a total of 300 blood donors in a study. Half of them suffered from hypertension, while the rest had normal blood pressure values. They were observed over a period of up to four regular blood donations - equivalent to nine to twelve months.

The observed blood pressure reduction in donors who started with moderate hypertension (Grade II) can almost be described as drastic. The values dropped systolically by 17.1 mmHg and diastolically by 11.7 mmHg. Interestingly, the values of the normotensive control group remained constant. Therefore, no one with normal blood pressure values needs to fear that their blood pressure will drop too low due to blood donation.

The exact reason for this is not yet fully researched. However, there are various theories. For example, the reduced iron levels due to donation could decrease oxidative stress on the vessels, making them more elastic, which in turn benefits blood pressure regulation. Another theory suggests that the levels of blood pressure-increasing hormones and metabolites (metabolic products) decrease due to blood donation, thereby lowering blood pressure. However, since the "lost" blood cells also need to be regenerated, the decreased blood pressure could also be related to this, as the newly formed blood components are more elastic and easier to shape. It may require less pressure to pump them through the circulatory system.

However, even those who do not donate blood regularly benefit as high blood pressure patients. The blood pressure-lowering effect after a single blood donation lasts about six weeks.

Regular blood donation becomes particularly interesting for hypertensive patients in light of the fact that even a slight reduction in blood pressure values by 2 to 3 mmHg can protect against potentially fatal cardiovascular diseases. The achieved blood pressure reduction through regular blood donations is even significantly higher and can sometimes surpass the effects of medication therapy.

Regular blood donation also increased the quality of life of the donors. They felt overall more capable, which may be due to the improved ability to neutralize free radicals. Or perhaps due to the knowledge of doing good.

However, there is an age limit for blood donors. As of today, new donors are eligible up to their 65th birthday. Experienced donors may donate blood until their 73rd birthday. This limitation is solely for the protection of the donors. The blood itself does not lose quality with the increasing age of the donor.

If you have questions about blood donation, you can find many information and answers on the website of the blood donation service of the BRK https://www.blutspendedienst.com/blutspende/spendeinfos/fragen-antworten#entry-17. Local blood donation dates can be found on the DRK website: https://www.blutspende.de/

Sources:

By Sabine Croci. This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (02/2024).
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Blood Donation Against Hypertension

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