Question:

Can an elevated blood pressure make venipuncture more difficult? I have been a regular blood donor and never had any difficulty with venipuncture & have been told that I do not have small veins. Today I had an xray with contrast and the tech had a very difficult time with the “stick”. Also had blood drawn for blood test and that nurse also had trouble getting the blood. At the end of the office visit my blood pressure registered on the high side. Just wondered if a higher blood pressure would/could cause difficult “stick”?

Answer:

No relation. Venipuncture involves drawing blood out of a vein. Blood pressure deals with arteries. Your veins may be small and difficult to get in to for IVs and blood draws.

For more information:

Go to the Vascular Surgery health topic.