Risks associated with having blood drawn are slight:
Excessive bleeding.
Fainting or feeling lightheaded.
Hematoma, or blood accumulating under the skin.
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken).
The person taking the blood may have to make multiple punctures to locate veins.
Special considerations:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Review Date: 4/29/2005
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laborartory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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