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Donating Plasma & Heart Problems

Many people contribute to the welfare of society, and earn some extra cash, by donating plasma. But to keep a safe supply of plasma, donation sites must question donors and run simple tests. This ensures the plasma is safe for recipients, and that the procedure of removing it is safe for donors.

  1. What is Plasma?

    • Blood cells are suspended in plasma, which is the liquid part of the blood. Plasma donors have their blood removed through a needle in a vein. A device separates plasma from red blood cells and other blood components. The donor gets the non-plasma parts of the blood back, usually in saline solution to replace the liquid. Blood and plasma are used to develop blood products used in medical therapies, including transfusions. Plasma may be frozen and stored for later use.

    Who Needs Plasma

    • Patients who suffer from hemophilia, immune and neurological disorders, along with other chronic and rare diseases, need plasma for their therapies. Trauma patients and burn victims are also treated with plasma. This is expensive, because no substitute or generic therapies exist.

    Testing

    • New donors fill out a health questionnaire and undergo simple tests, such as blood pressure. They must weigh at least 110 pounds. This first visit can take two or three hours. Subsequent visits last approximately 90 minutes. Many conditions or experiences contraindicate donating plasma, including having lived in certain places (including Europe), had sex with certain categories of people (e.g. intravenous drug users or people from some African countries) and a long list of medical conditions. If you are going to donate, be prepared to answer many personal questions. If you’re accepted, federal regulations allow you to donate twice a week, with at least two days between donations.

    Heart Problems: Still Eligible to Donate

    • If you have had a mitral valve prolapse (MVP), but have been stable and free of chest pain for six months, you can donate plasma. Arrhythmia is also allowed, as long as you’re not in pain, or it is controlled by your medication.

    Heart Problems: Possibly Ineligible to Donate

    • If you have had a heart attack, you must wait a year before donating plasma. If you are symptom-free, then the attending physician at the donation center will evaluate your case and make a decision. You may also donate a year after coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty or heart surgery, if you have no history of heart attack and are not taking anything stronger than aspirin. Any chest pain will have the attending physician concerned about the prospects of you being able to donate plasma. If you have had any heart problems, discuss your desire to donate plasma with your physician.

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