Can you donate if you've had a heart attack, bypass surgery or angioplasty in the past?

After how long can you donate blood after a heart attack, bypass surgery or angioplasty?

Giving blood when you have had a heart attack, bypass surgery or angioplasty is not completely restricted. However, the patient is most likely to be on multiple medications, which makes blood platelets less functional. Also, the patient s heart condition may worsen if there is compromised pumping function (Ejection Fraction) of heart, hence according to Dr Girish B Navasundi, Apollo Clinic at Bengaluru, it is recommended that the patient seek advice from their doctors before blood donation.

One must note that the term heart disease encompasses a wide variety of conditions like arrhythmias, heart disease, and we generally tend to blindly address it as heart attack, which may not be the case always. While heart patients donate blood, only certain elements in their blood would be used and the rest, like the platelets wouldn t be considered due to the condition. Read: Angioplasty or bypass surgery? Which is right for you?

There are several blood donation organisations that accept blood from patients who have suffered from heart attack, bypass surgery or angioplasty etc in the past but only if it's been at least six months since the incident has happened.

In order for a heart patient to become eligible to donate blood, one must keep a clear track of one s lifestyle, which involves visiting the experts as advised, keeping track of the medication prescribed, following the right diet, exercising regularly and moderately, and consuming fruits and vegetables. All this helps in improving good haemoglobin count.

Things to take care of before donating blood for someone who has had bypass surgery in the recent past: Once you get a go ahead to donate blood, it is important to keep your blood pressure right in place. It should not be either too low or too high. Also, one should have had kept a clear track of their haemoglobin levels, and heart (LV Ejection Fraction) pumping capacity. Patients must strictly consult their cardiologist before performing blood donation. Here are some complications of angioplasty and bypass surgery.

Things to take care of after donating blood for someone who has had bypass surgery in the recent past: Once you have successfully donated blood, you should keep your blood levels stable in the body by drinking adequate liquids. You should avoid strenuous activities for around 24-hours and should not miss out on regular medications. It is also important to take fibre, protein and iron-rich meals immediately after donation as your blood pressure shouldn t drop.

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