19May/11Off
If you give blood does it lower your blood pressure?
I have a bet going on this. The logic being that there is less blood taking up space in your veins an arteries so it would reduce your blood pressure - at least temporarily. Anyone know if this is true?
May 19th, 2011 - 09:51
mickpola – You are correct! The immediate drop in blood pressure after donating a pint of blood (not a tube or two) is due to an immediate drop in circulating blood volume. This is why some donors feel a little dizzy when they first sit up or stand after donating. Within minutes, the body’s sympathetic nerves around the blood vessels narrow them to restore (raise) the pressure towards normal. The juice and coffee offered donors, along with the advice to take extra fluids during the rest of the day, quickly restores your circulating blood volume and normal pressure. BTW, the average person has 8 to 10 pints of blood circulating.