Giving blood helping to reduce BP?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I read today that donating blood regularly can have a positive effect on hypertension.  Has anyone got any anecdotal evidence to suggest that it worked for them?

I'm on amlodipine/losartan and my BP today has ranged from 150/110 (7am) to 115/90 (11am). I a bit frustrated at present, as my diet is following DASH to the letter, I've not had any alcohol for over a month, I don't smoke, and whilst 20 pounds overweight, I'm really active, and exercise 4 times a week.  I'm more concerned about my diastolic number which rarely gets below 90.

 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    It make sense, the more blood you have the higher the pressure, I've always thought about but never read about it.

  • Posted

    blag, intriguingly, I've noticed in the past that after  having several tubes of blood taken for testing, my blood pressure has been lower - not for long though, unfortunately!  Well done on having a break from alcohol and the healthy diet and lifestyle you are following.  Keep it up, I bet if you lose the extra 20lbs the BP will improve even more.  Good luck!

  • Posted

    Hi

    I went on a vegan diet for 2 weeks and walked everyday for 2 hours. My diastolic reading dropped from a usual 97 to 77, first time it’s dropped like this since I was on meds years ago. 

  • Posted

    blag72...donating blood & the resulting lowering of bp is very very short-lived. Also, it is not true that the more blood you have, the higher your bp will be. 

    you are on the right track for lowering your bp by following a healthy diet, exercising, etc...& if you lose the 20 pounds, the bp will likely lower yet again.

    Please let us know how you get on.

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