Hypertension

Acceptability at Recruitment

QUALIFIED

Acceptability at VT / Work-Up

QUALIFIED

Individual at Risk

Donor

Explanation of Condition

High blood pressure.

Guidance

Guidance at recruitment

Acceptable

Guidance at VT

Acceptable

Controlled with medication.

Unacceptable

Hypertension is under investigation;

Medication has been commenced or changed within the last four weeks;

Donor is feeling faint or giddy from medication;

There is evidence of heart failure or renal failure;

A threshold of 150/95 is set at donor workup, which equates to stage 2 hypertension. Above this level the donor should be deferred and the hypertension investigated. High blood pressure readings at work-up should be repeated at least twice on the same occasion.

If a donor has persistently raised readings, this should be repeated on a separate occasion by a GP or other healthcare professional. If the blood pressure is then found to be within acceptable limits, the donor may be cleared to donate. Otherwise they should be temporarily deferred until the hypertension has been managed and treatment instigated if necessary.

Pseudonyms or Related Conditions

High blood pressure Blood pressure

Version

Version 2

Date of Last Update

8th July 2026

NB

In the past donors were advised to hold ACEi for apheresis however there is no suggestion of increased risk to healthy donors continuing therefore this has been removed after JMAC discussion June 2026.