Sleep apnoea

A mild or moderate sleep apnoea does not prevent blood donation. A severe sleep apnoea with day time symptoms (unusual tiredness, tendency to fall asleep) prevents blood donation. You may not donate blood if you have upcoming tests for sleep apnoea with severe symptoms or if less than three months have passed since the start of treatment (e.g. nasal CPAP-therapy or surgical treatment) or if the symptoms are clearly not eased with treatment. Symptoms of sleep apnoea are caused by periods of lack of oxygen during the night. Since the drop in haemoglobin levels weakens the body’s ability to oxygenate, blood donation can worsen the symptoms of severe sleep apnoea and can therefore cause adverse effects to the donor.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).