Giving blood with MVP

[Scott Cavenaugh]

I first want to say thank you for answering my question in reference to my mother an aortic stenosis.  She had the surgery that replaces the valve with a mechanical valve last thursday.  She came home Monday and is walking and feeling really good!  MY NEXT QUESTION (and I will try and not bother you again), I have Mitral Valve Prolapse and I am taking Atenelol 50mg 2 times a day and Effexer 75mg 1 time a day.  Is it save for me to give blood while taking these medications?  Thank you for this wonderful service!  It is obvious that you help a lot of people by taking the time to answer their questions......

[kristine]

in lynn fredericksons book confronting mitral valve proplapse syndrome she says giving blood can make mvp symptoms worse, because we have low blood volume. it does seem that most  people i talk to with mvp need to drink more fluids to relieve there symptoms.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I've never heard that. You could check with the Red cross before donating blood.

[kristine]

i had heard that with mvp our blood volume is low and giving blood will make it lower and i have heard that it has caused problems for some people.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Thanks for the update on your mother - glad to hear she is doing well.  In general it is OK to give blood while taking medications such as the ones you are taking but be sure to clear it with your doctor first.  MVP does not pose any difficulty to giving blood.