About This Article: Zoom Health has supplied home health tests to UK customers for nearly 20 years. This guide draws on our experience helping thousands of people understand their blood type and its health implications. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Published: April 2022 | Last Updated: November 2025 | By: Anthony Cunningham
Contents
What Makes O Positive Special
Type O positive blood is one of the most common blood types across the world. This is the universal donor blood type since it can be given to everybody who has a compatible blood type, so it becomes very valuable in times of emergency or when transfusions have to be conducted quickly.
This makes O positive the most common blood type in the UK, accounting for about 35% of the population falling into this blood group—1 in every 3 Brits. The blood type is similarly very common in many other countries all over the world.
Key Facts About O Positive
- 35% of the UK population has O positive blood
- Can be donated to any patient with a positive blood type (76% of population)
- Critical for emergency situations when immediate transfusion is needed
- Very few cases of blood type incompatibility reactions after transfusions
Among the major advantages of having O positive blood, a very few cases of blood type incompatibility reactions after transfusions are experienced by individuals. However, this blood type shows higher chances of developing ulcers and other digestive tract-related disorders.
Health Implications of O Positive Blood
Studies show that people with O positive blood type may have a lower risk for heart diseases than the remaining blood groups. This is because people with this blood type have lower levels of the von Willebrand factor, a protein that can facilitate blood clotting and raise the risk of heart diseases.
Immune System Benefits
Then, those with O positive blood could simply have a stronger immune system than most. It has been concluded that they have higher IgG antibodies, which recognise and act on foreign material in the body. This may be the reason why people with O positive blood have less of a chance at catching certain infections, like hepatitis B.
Potential Health Risks
On the contrary, persons having O positive blood are susceptible to some diseases like malaria and cholera. The individuals may also be highly exposed to pancreatic cancer and stomach ulcers.
Important: Knowing one’s blood type is very essential, so that in times of emergencies, a person can let the concerned medical personnel know. Consider keeping a record of your blood type in your wallet or on your phone’s medical ID.
The 2024 NHS Crisis: Why O Positive Matters
The important role played by O positive blood was highlighted in June 2024 when major hospitals in London were under cyber-attack. A ransomware assault—purportedly by a Russian cybercriminal group—affected the standard process of matching blood in a number of health institutions. This prompted the NHS Blood and Transplant to make an urgent appeal for blood-type O donors, specifically O positive and O negative.
The cyber-attack brought to light the importance of O-type blood in emergency situations. Since O positive blood can be safely administered to any patient with a plus blood type, this would account for some 76% of the population, so it became a key factor that facilitated the hospitals in continuous surgery and taking care through the disruption of their usual systems of blood typing.
Why This Matters for You
This event stands as a reminder that blood donations are needed on a continual basis, particularly from those with O blood types. According to Dr. Gail Miflin, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, the need now is more imperative than ever for O type blood donors to come forward to support patient care throughout this crisis.
This is just one of those incidents that show what O positive blood carriers can do to save others. What regular donations will do is ensure a stable supply of blood in the system—critical for the day-to-day needs of medical interventions, but also necessary to respond to sudden emergencies or system disruptions.
What enables security for the systems of medical appliances and the resilience of our blood supply is inextricably linked as we press on in this ever increasingly digital landscape of healthcare. Understanding your blood type and, if you are O positive, taking time to consider making a regular donation can play a critical role in supporting the health-care system’s ability to respond to routine and extraordinary circumstances alike.
Finding Out Your Blood Type
There are a few ways to learn your blood type. Knowing your blood type is very important because it avoids the risk of getting an incompatible blood group at the time of transfusion. If blood types are mismatched, blood cell clumping occurs, which may be dangerous.
Through Your GP or Blood Donation Service
If you don’t know your blood type, you can contact your local doctor or the blood donation people in your area to ask and see if they can tell you. NB: Your doctor might refuse to take some of your blood if there is no medical reason to do so.
Using an At-Home Test Kit
Most easily, you can know your blood type by doing an at-home test. We suggest doing so with the Eldon blood typing kit. Besides this really low-cost kit, the product also gives results in minutes. You can take the test at home right when the Zoom Health package arrives in your mailbox, not days or even weeks after waiting on a doctor’s appointment!
What Customers Say
★★★★★ Sophie — July 2015
“I decided to get one of these for every member of my family; knowing your blood group is so important. Not only was it fairly painless and easy to do this test, but this company provides very detailed instructions so that it is almost impossible to mess up. The information that you get could be lifesaving for you or another person.”
★★★★★ Ash L — April 2015
“This home blood test kit was really simple to use. I was a bit worried about doing this at home but I really should not have been. The little blood pricking tool that comes with the kit is fairly painless to administer and makes a tiny, tiny hole.”
★★★★★ Anonymous — November 2024
“Efficient delivery, and process as described. Very pleased. Would definitely recommend this service if you want to know your blood group.”
Take Action
Find Out Your Blood Type Today
Understanding your blood type is essential for emergency situations, medical procedures, and making informed health decisions. Our home blood type test delivers results in minutes from the comfort of your home.
Photo “Blood Donor” by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Health
About the Author
Anthony Cunningham — Health Writer & Editor
Anthony Cunningham, BA (Hons), MA, is a UK-based health writer and editor with over 20 years’ experience running Zoom Health, a trusted source for home health tests, preventive care, and wellness guidance. He creates clear, evidence-based articles using NHS, NICE, and WHO guidance. Where possible, content is reviewed by practising clinicians to enhance accuracy and reliability, helping readers make informed healthcare decisions.
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