Blood and blood vessels
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Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells of our body and helps us fight infection. Veins, arteries and capillaries are blood vessels that combine with the heart to make up the circulatory system.
Information in your language
Information in your language about blood and blood
- Bleeding
Bleeding may be minor or it may be a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Deep vein thrombosis
Long international flights are suspected of contributing to deep vein thrombosis in susceptible people.
- Haemophilia
All children with severe haemophilia are given preventative treatment with infusions of blood products before they have a bleed.
- HIV - infection control in hospitals
How hospitals reduce the risk HIV, hepatitis B and C - includes blood donation and transfusions, infection control and prevention for hospital workers, patients and visitors and where to get help.
- Needlestick injury
A needlestick injury means the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle. Diseases that could be transmitted by a needle or needlestick injury include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
- Nosebleeds
Bleeding from the nose is common in children and is usually not severe or serious.
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is any bleed located underneath one of the protective layers of the brain known as the arachnoid layer.
- Subdural haematomas
Subdural haematomas are blood clots formed underneath one of the protective layers of the brain.
- Von Willebrand disease
A person with von Willebrand disease may have frequent nosebleeds, heavy menstruation or excessive bleeding from the mouth.
- Blood count
The full blood count (FBC) test looks for abnormalities in the blood, such as unusually high or low numbers of blood cells.
- Blood groups
A person's blood group is determined by a pair of genes, one each inherited from their mother and father.
- Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue in the hollow centres of a person?s long bones and is the blood cell 'factory'.
- Circulatory system
The heart, blood and blood vessels work together to service the cells of the body.
- Heart explained
The heart is about the size of a clenched fist and lies in the middle of your chest, behind and slightly to the left of your breastbone.
- Lipoedema
Lipoedema is a painful, chronic, symmetrical swelling in the legs, thighs, buttocks and sometimes arms due to the accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissues.
- Lymphatic system
The lymphatic manages fluid levels in the body, filters out bacteria and houses types of white blood cells.
- Blood donation
Donated blood is used to help people who are sick or injured, or for medical research.
- Blood transfusion
Donated blood is screened for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV.
- HIV - infection control in hospitals
How hospitals reduce the risk HIV, hepatitis B and C - includes blood donation and transfusions, infection control and prevention for hospital workers, patients and visitors and where to get help.
- Organ and tissue donation
Discover the facts about organ and tissue donation, decide about becoming a donor and discuss your decision with the people close to you.
- Blood pressure
Healthy eating and lifestyle changes can help to manage high blood pressure.
- Blood pressure (high) - hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can increase your risk of heart attack, kidney failure and stroke.
- Blood pressure (low) - hypotension
Low blood pressure is only a problem if it has a negative impact on the body.
- Dizziness - orthostatic hypotension
Postural hypotension is the lightheaded feeling you may get if you leap out of bed very quickly.
- Fainting
Common causes of fainting include heat, pain, distress, the sight of blood, anxiety and hyperventilating.
- Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure on the lungs.
- Shock
Shock is when there is not enough blood circulating in the body. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Stroke explained
A stroke is when blood can’t get to all parts of your brain and is a medical emergency. If blood can’t get through, your brain can be injured.
- Amyloidosis
A person with amyloidosis produces aggregates of insoluble protein that cannot be eliminated from the body.
- Aneurysm
An aneurysm may have no symptoms until it is either very large or it ruptures.
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener granulomatosis is a rare condition that targets the arteries, veins and capillaries of the kidneys and the respiratory system.
- Henoch-Schonlein purpura
Henoch-Schonlein purpura causes a purple spotted skin rash which lasts around one to four weeks, and is often marked by relapses.
- Leukaemia
Most children and many adults with acute leukaemia can expect to be cured, while chronic leukaemia can be successfully managed.
- Peripheral vascular disease
Peripheral vascular disease is the reduced circulation of blood to a body part (other than the brain or heart).
- Polycythaemia vera
Polycythaemia vera is characterised by the production of too many red blood cells, caused by abnormal function of the bone marrow.
- Raynaud's phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so see your doctor if you experience it.
- Thalassaemia
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder that can cause anaemia or death if not treated.
- Varicose veins and spider veins
Smaller varicose veins are usually treated by sclerotherapy ? the injection of irritant chemicals into the affected vein.
- Cholesterol
Your body needs cholesterol, but it can make its own. You don't need cholesterol in your diet.
- Cholesterol - healthy eating tips
Replacing foods that contain saturated fats with foods that contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats will help to lower your cholesterol.
- Genetic factors and cholesterol
Familial hypercholesterolaemia is an inherited condition characterised by higher than normal levels of blood cholesterol.
- Triglycerides
If a person habitually eats more kilojoules than they burn, they will have raised triglyceride levels in the blood.
- Anaemia
When a person is anaemic, the red blood cells have to work harder to get oxygen around the body.
- Haemochromatosis
Haemochromatosis (iron overload disorder) tends to be under-diagnosed, partly because its symptoms are similar to those caused by a range of other illnesses.
- Hughes syndrome
Hughes syndrome is thickening of the blood caused by abnormal immune system cells.
- Iron and iron deficiency
About iron and iron deficiency - symptoms, stages, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, who is at risk, daily intake, food sources and supplements.
- Porphyria
Porphyria can affect the skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal system or all of these, depending on the specific type.
- Thalassaemia
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder that can cause anaemia or death if not treated.
Reviewed on: 23-02-2022