Publicizing the Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Donating Blood Could Help Alleviate the Blood Shortage

Gregory D. Sloop, Gheorghe A. Pop, Joseph J. Weidman, John A. St. Cyr

Abstract


A shortage in the supply of blood products developed in the United States following the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, but shortages have always affected some lower and middle-income countries. Donating blood reduces blood viscosity by lowering the hematocrit in the short term and promoting the replacement of older, stiffer erythrocytes with fresh, maximally deformable ones over the long term. It also reduces plasma viscosity. By lowering blood viscosity, blood donation protects against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and treats metabolic syndrome. Promoting the benefits of blood donation to the donor may help alleviate blood shortages.

Keywords


Blood donation; Blood viscosity; Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; Metabolic syndrome

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