How to Handle Feeling Woozy After a Blood Test: Expert Advice
A complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests doctors use to evaluate a person’s health. Healthy people should have them every three years, while people with health issues may need them every six months.
If you’ve ever had one, you might worry about how you’ll feel after your next one. Feeling woozy after a blood test is quite common, but there are steps you can take to prevent dizziness.
Continue reading to learn why this happens and the best steps to take to reduce these effects.
Importance of Blood Tests
Blood tests are helpful for evaluating a person’s health and can reveal a person’s blood type. Healthy individuals may only need blood tests periodically, such as every one to three years.
However, people with medical conditions may need blood tests more often. The frequency depends on the person’s health and their doctor’s recommendations.
Doctors may recommend various blood tests, including the following:
Full Blood Count Check
A full blood count check (also called a CBC) tests the levels of important cells in your blood. This includes testing the white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets.
Glucose Tests
Healthy people generally undergo glucose testing every one to three years, while people with diabetes or at risk for developing diabetes need these more frequently. A glucose test tells you how much glucose is in the blood.
Metabolic Panel
A metabolic panel reveals the levels of many important chemicals in the blood, including calcium and electrolytes. These blood tests are helpful for people with liver or kidney problems.
Lipid Panel
Lipid panels break down the levels of cholesterol in the blood. They tell you the amount of good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
When getting blood drawn, a person may need one or more of these tests when getting their blood drawn. The doctor decides based on the person’s health and risks.
Why You Feel Woozy After a Blood Test
Getting blood drawn doesn’t directly cause wooziness, yet many people experience these feelings afterward. The most common cause is a drop in blood pressure.
Your blood pressure might drop from a vasovagal response. This response is a common bodily response to blood draws and leads to feelings of lightheadedness, nausea, and dizziness.
It occurs from the body’s overreaction to the blood draw. Your body might react to the pain of the test or the sight of blood, or it can also react to the emotional distress of the test.
The body generally reacts by causing the blood pressure and heart rate to drop quickly. When this occurs, it reduces the blood flow to the brain and can make you feel woozy. In some cases, it can lead to fainting.
It’s important to note that this response happens for emotional and psychological purposes and not physical reasons.
Best Ways to Prepare for a Blood Test
You might be able to avoid feeling woozy by properly preparing for the blood tests. First, aim to stay hydrated before getting the test.
Some blood tests require fasting, while others don’t. However, you can generally drink water before getting your blood tested. If so, drink plenty of water before the test to stay hydrated.
Staying hydrated makes the test run smoother, as it’s easier for the technician to find your vein if you’re hydrated. If you don’t have to fast, eat a light meal beforehand to reduce the chances of wooziness.
Additionally, you can prevent dizziness after the test by communicating your concerns with the technician. If you normally faint or feel dizzy after a blood test, tell the technician before the test.
Techniques to Use During the Test
If the technician knows you’re prone to dizziness and wooziness, they’ll take special precautions to ensure the test runs smoothly. For example, they can give you a cold compress to place on your head during or after the test.
They can help you use the right relaxation and breathing techniques during the test to help you stay calm. They may suggest closing your eyes and taking deep breaths in and out very slowly.
Additionally, there is power in staying distracted while they draw blood. If you keep your mind on something else, it reduces the chances of feeling faint and dizzy.
You should never watch what they’re doing or even look at the medical equipment. Avoiding these things can prevent your body from responding.
What to Do After the Test
Learning what to do after the test is also helpful for avoiding dizziness and nausea. First, ask if you can lie down after the test. If you don’t want to do this, simply place your head between your knees in a sitting position.
Next, aim for good hydration after the blood test and learn what to eat after the blood test. The clinic might offer you a glass of juice or water for this purpose and can even give you some crackers or cookies to eat.
Additionally, they will place pressure on your puncture site to stop the bleeding, and they’ll apply a small bandage. Avoid looking at the puncture wound, as this could also trigger your body to respond negatively.
Finally, ask about post-blood test care. Are there things you should do afterward to care for the wound or to avoid feeling dizzy? They can explain the best tips and strategies.
Stay on Top of Your Health Through Routine Blood Tests
Feeling woozy after a blood test is not abnormal; it’s a common response for many people. You shouldn’t let these feelings stop you from getting your blood tested, as blood tests reveal things the human eye can’t see.
Testing your blood is one of the best preventative health measures you can take. Routine blood tests can provide crucial insights into your health. Are you ready to test yours?
Precision Labs offers blood tests in offices, senior living facilities, and homes. We have a team of trained and certified phlebotomists who can safely and accurately draw blood for any purpose.
Our labs provide accurate and fast results. Reach out to learn more about our services.