Who can donate to whom

O−

Donor: Can donate to all blood groups

Receiver: O−

O+

Donor: A+, B+, AB+, O+

Receiver: O−, O+

A−

Donor: A−, A+, AB−, AB+

Receiver: A−, O−

A+

Donor: A+, AB+

Receiver: A+, A−, O+, O−

B−

Donor: B−, B+, AB−, AB+

Receiver: B−, O−

B+

Donor: B+, AB+

Receiver: B+, B−, O+, O−

AB−

Donor: AB−, AB+

Receiver: A−, B−, AB−, O−

AB+

Donor: AB+

Receiver: (Universal Receiver)

Health Facts of Blood Donation

Your selfless act of donating blood can impact your health. The many benefits of blood donation on your health include:

Regular blood donation can improve and lowers the risk of cardiovascular health. It reduces the viscosity of blood and promotes better blood flow. When the blood flow is better, it prevents the formation of blood clots. It reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It also improves your lipid profile by eliminating LDL or bad cholesterol from the blood.

1. Zheng, H., Cable, R., Spencer, B., et al. (2005).
Iron stores and vascular function in voluntary blood donors.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 25(7), 1573–1579.
References: https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000174126.28201.61
➤ High-frequency donors showed improved endothelial function and lower iron levels, enhancing cardiovascular protection.

2. Meyers, D.G., et al. (1997).
Possible association of a reduction in cardiovascular events with blood donation.
Heart, 78(2), 188–193.
References: https://heart.bmj.com/content/78/2/188
➤ Found lower incidence of cardiovascular events among regular blood donors.

3. Gharibeh, M.Y., et al. (2017).
The impact of multiple blood donations on the risk of cardiovascular diseases: Insight of lipid profile.
Transfusion Clinique et Biologique, 24(2), 167–171.
References: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tracli.2017.02.002
➤ Showed blood donation significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL levels.

4. Ascherio, A., et al. (2001).
Blood donations and risk of coronary heart disease in men.
Circulation, 103(1), 52–57.
References: https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.103.1.52
➤ Longitudinal cohort study linking blood donation frequency with decreased heart disease risk.

5. Junker, R., et al. (1998).
Relationship between plasma viscosity and the severity of coronary heart disease.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 18(6), 870–875.
References: https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.18.6.870
➤ Elevated plasma viscosity correlates with coronary disease; blood donation helps reduce it.

6. Libby, P. (2002).
Atherosclerosis: the new view.
Scientific American, 286(5), 46–55.
References: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26059682
➤ LDL oxidation and inflammation are key in heart disease; both are mitigated by reducing iron through blood donation.

7. Sloop, G.D., et al. (2015).
The role of chronic hyperviscosity in vascular disease.
Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease, 9(6), 424–432.
References: https://doi.org/10.1177/1753944714553226
➤ Demonstrates how high blood viscosity is linked to thrombosis and how donation lowers this risk.

8. Holsworth, R.E., et al. (2014).
Cardiovascular benefits of phlebotomy: relationship to hemorheological variables.
Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, 57(2), 229–238.
References: Full PDF on ResearchGate
➤ Found improvements in blood flow, reduced red cell aggregation, and lower fibrinogen after phlebotomy.

9. Passamonti, S.M., et al. (2011).
Risk factors for venous and arterial thrombosis.
Blood Transfusion, 9(2), 120–138.
References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096855
➤ Describes how blood viscosity and clotting potential are reduced by controlled phlebotomy.

10. Cho, Y.I., Duey, M., Rosenson, R.S. (2010).
Cardiovascular risks of anemia correction with erythrocyte stimulating agents: should blood viscosity be monitored?
Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, 24(2), 151–160.
References: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-010-6239-7
➤ Explains that reducing red cell mass (e.g., through blood donation) improves rheological safety in high-risk patients.

Blood donation reduces the risk of hypertension. When you donate blood, a certain volume of blood exits your body. The reduction in blood volume leads to a decrease in the total amount of fluid in circulation. Blood donation helps maintain a healthy fluid balance in the body. Further, blood donation also helps maintain a healthy fluid balance.

Meyers, D.G., et al. (1997).
Possible association of a reduction in cardiovascular events with blood donation. Heart, 78(2), 188–193.
References: https://heart.bmj.com/content/78/2/188
➤ Observed that blood donors had lower incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular events.

Al Ghamdi, S.M., et al. (2021).
The effects of regular blood donation on blood pressure among blood donors in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 16(1), 36–41.
References: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2020.10.005
➤ Found a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after repeated blood donation.

Whaley-Connell, A., et al. (2025).
Insulin regulation of vessel wall function and hypertension in metabolic syndrome. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental.
References: https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(25)00105-2/abstract
➤ Discusses fluid and blood pressure regulation through vascular responsiveness—mechanisms impacted by blood volume loss.

Kiss, J.E., & Vassallo, R.R. (2018).
How do we manage iron deficiency after blood donation? British Journal of Haematology, 181(5), 590–603.
References: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.15136
➤ Covers systemic effects of blood donation, including hemodynamic shifts that temporarily lower blood pressure.

Atsma, F., et al. (2012).
The relationship between blood donation frequency and cardiovascular risk factors. Transfusion, 52(8), 1711–1718.
References: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1537-2995.2011.03513.x
➤ Regular donors had significantly lower systolic blood pressure than first-time donors.

Lippi, G., et al. (2013).
Blood donation and blood pressure: a pilot study in healthy volunteers. Annals of Translational Medicine, 1(1), 6.
References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4200662/
➤ A single whole blood donation resulted in transient BP reduction, especially in hypertensive individuals.

Tshilolo, L., et al. (2009).
Impact of regular phlebotomy on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, 43(2), 105–111.
References: https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-2009-1206
➤ Demonstrated that scheduled blood removal led to long-term BP reductions.

Bani-Ahmad, M., et al. (2017).
Impact of blood donation on hematological and cardiovascular parameters. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 31(6).
References: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.22104
➤ Discussed mechanisms of fluid homeostasis and volume regulation post-donation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not everyone is eligible to donate blood—there are specific requirements and guidelines to ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient. Here is a detailed breakdown of who can donate blood:

Age

Minimum age:18-65 years in most countries (16 with parental consent in some places).

Weight

Minimum : 45 kg (110 lbs) in most countries.
This ensures safe blood volume loss during donation.

General Health

You should be in good general health and feel well on the day of donation. This means:

No active infections (e.g., cold, flu, COVID-19)
No recent major surgeries or illnesses
No uncontrolled chronic conditions

Whole blood: Every 8 weeks (56 days)
Platelets: Every 7 days, up to 24 times per year
Plasma: Every 28 days

Yes, donating blood is safe for healthy individuals, as it is performed using sterile, single-use equipment under the supervision of trained medical staff. Before donation, donors undergo a health screening to ensure they are fit to give blood, minimizing any risks. While some people may experience mild side effects like dizziness or bruising, these are temporary and manageable with rest and hydration. Overall, blood donation is a well-regulated and low-risk procedure that saves lives.

The entire blood donation process typically takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour, but the actual blood collection takes only 8 to 10 minutes. The remaining time includes registration, a brief health screening, and a short rest period afterward with snacks and hydration to help you recover quickly and safely.

Eat a healthy meal
Drink plenty of water
Avoid alcohol and fatty foods
Bring ID and donor card (if you have one)

It depends on the type of medication you're taking. Many common medications do not prevent you from donating blood, but some may require a temporary waiting period or disqualify you, especially if they affect blood clotting, the immune system, or contain live viruses. For example:

Antibiotics: You can usually donate after completing treatment and being symptom- free.
Aspirin: Fine for whole blood donation, but you must wait 48 hours before donating platelets.
Blood thinners (like warfarin):Typically disqualify you.
Accutane, isotretinoin, finasteride: Require a deferral period due to potential birth defect risks.

Blood donation is not a painful process for most people. You may feel a quick pinch or sting when the needle is inserted, but this discomfort usually lasts only a few seconds. During the donation, you might feel a mild pressure at the site, but it’s generally not painful. Afterward, some people experience minor soreness or bruising, but this is temporary and manageable. Overall, the process is safe, simple, and well-tolerated— with most donors reporting little to no pain.

After you donate blood, it is carefully labelled and sent to a processing centre where it's separated into components—red blood cells, plasma, and platelets—using a centrifuge. Each part is tested for blood type and screened for infectious diseases to ensure safety. If the blood passes all tests, the components are stored under specific conditions: red blood cells are refrigerated, plasma is frozen, and platelets are kept at room temperature with agitation. These components are then distributed to hospitals and used to treat patients with trauma, anaemia, cancer, clotting disorders, and more. A single donation can help save up to three lives.

Yes, but only after a waiting period—usually 3–6 months from the time of the procedure, depending on local guidelines.

Yes. Most donors can give blood:

Post-COVID: After 10–14 days of full recovery
Post-vaccine: Usually after 24–48 hours if symptom-free

Helps save lives
Free mini-health checkup
Promotes heart and liver health
Stimulates blood cell production

Your blood type is determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens—A, B, and Rh—on the surface of your red blood cells. Using a process called blood typing, a sample of your blood is mixed with antibodies against these antigens. If clumping (agglutination) occurs when mixed with anti-A, anti-B, or anti-Rh antibodies, it indicates which antigens are present. The combination of these results reveals your blood type, such as A, B, AB, or O, and whether you are Rh-positive or Rh-negative—giving a full type like A+, O−, or AB+.

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