All About Benefits of Blood Donation
Health Insurance

All About Benefits of Blood Donation

Various patients, whether victims of severe accidents or suffering from chronic illnesses, require several pints of blood to survive. However, since blood cannot be manufactured, such patients depend on blood donations. But what about the donor? The good news is that blood donation not only saves lives but also provides donors with various surprising benefits.

What are the benefits of blood donation?

Apart from helping those in need, there are various health benefits of donating blood.

  • Reveals health problems: Although it isn’t the same as getting a proper check–up, blood donation helps you keep an eye on your heart health. Prior to a donation, blood donors receive a mini–physical exam wherein a healthcare professional will check their pulse, blood pressure, temperature, haemoglobin, and more. This check–up can reveal underlying health issues you were not aware of.

  • Reduces harmful iron stores: In case you suffer from a genetic condition known as hemochromatosis that causes an iron overload in your body, a blood donation can help reduce your extra iron levels. Blood donation helps with the removal of red blood cells and acts as an effective treatment for this disease.

  • Lowers the risk of heart attacks: Regular blood donation, at least once a year, can reduce the risk of you suffering a heart attack by at least 88%. The high iron levels in your blood can constrict your blood vessels, increasing the chances of getting a heart attack. Depleting those iron deposits via blood donation allows your blood vessels to operate more easily.

  • Possibly lowers the risk of cancer: While ordinarily, the link between blood donation and cancer risk is weak, research shows that people with maladies like hemochromatosis can reduce the chances of getting cancer through blood donation.

  • Helps maintain liver health: Your liver can get negatively impacted by an overload of iron. Research has shown a significant link between non–alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Hepatitis C and other liver illnesses, and iron overload. Although there are other factors that contribute to the development of these diseases, donating blood can mitigate iron overload and avoid liver issues.

  • Helps your mental health: Apart from the physical benefits of blood donation, there are psychological advantages as well. Providing someone with the help that they desperately need is an act of altruism that can have a positive impact on your psyche. It is similar to volunteer work and can possibly make you feel really positive and good about yourself.

Now that you know more about the advantages of blood donation, try to do your bit to help both society and yourself. Do make sure to check your blood type, drink plenty of water, and eat well before donating to a blood bank near you. Also, make sure to opt for health insurance that covers blood transfusion, so you do not have to worry about arranging funds in case you ever need it.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

Looking for the right policy?

Manage Your Policies at Fingertips

Avail Your Insurance Benefits on the go with SBI General Mobile App

Download the App Now

qr code
apple play storeplay store