Spain is one of the five countries with the highest rate of blood donors in Europe. However, despite this milestone, myths about who can donate blood remain valid in society.
“To be a blood donor there are some requirements that are very basic. “The age is between 18 and 60 years, you must weigh more than 50 kilos and you must be a healthy person,” explains Lucía Escribano, nurse at the Blood Donation Service at the Infanta Elena University Hospital.
Should I go on an empty stomach to donate blood?
One of the most widespread myths is the one that claims that, in order to donate blood, we must go on an empty stomach, something that is not recommended from the health field.
“When you are going to take an analysis, you have to go on an empty stomach, but to donate blood it is the opposite, since you must come having had breakfast and having drunk,” says Lucía Escribano, who adds that “so that the body is well hydrated and you do not suffer dizziness, low blood pressure, or the donation makes you feel bad, you must come well hydrated, having had breakfast, and even, if it is something salty, the better”.
In today’s chapter we will talk about this and other myths, and we will investigate the history of transfusions and the relevant role played by a Spanish doctor.
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