Can patients with hypertension donate blood?

Whether individuals with hypertension can donate blood depends on the control of their blood pressure. Blood donation is permissible when blood pressure is consistently within the normal range, but not advisable when blood pressure is uncontrolled or fluctuates greatly. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If patients with hypertension have their blood pressure consistently controlled below 140/90 mmHg through standardized treatment and experience no other discomfort symptoms, with normal function of organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys, donating blood generally will not cause significant effects on their health. When blood pressure is well-controlled, the circulatory system remains relatively stable, and the body can self-regulate to maintain stable blood pressure after blood donation, avoiding serious health problems.

For hypertensive patients whose blood pressure is not effectively controlled, with systolic blood pressure higher than 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mmHg, or those experiencing significant blood pressure fluctuations, blood donation is not recommended. Blood donation may reduce blood volume, causing further blood pressure fluctuations and increasing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, such as dizziness and chest tightness, and in severe cases, hypertensive emergencies may be triggered. Additionally, donating blood when blood pressure is unstable may also affect the quality of donated blood, making it unsuitable for clinical transfusion requirements.

Hypertensive patients who wish to donate blood should first ensure their blood pressure is at a normal and stable level. Before donation, they should truthfully inform the blood donation center staff of their medical condition and medication use, allowing professionals to assess whether they are suitable candidates for blood donation.