Risks
There is very little risk of a problem from
having blood drawn from a vein.
- You may develop a small bruise at the puncture site. You can
reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes
after the needle is withdrawn.
- In rare cases, the vein may become
inflamed after the blood sample is taken. This condition is called phlebitis
and is usually treated with a warm compress applied several times
daily.
- Continued bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding
disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medicines can
also make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or
if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your health professional before your
blood is drawn.