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Your Questions — 4 minutes

How to get ready for a blood test

August 22, 2025

Biron Team
Biron Team
info@biron.com

You need to have bloodwork done and you’re scared? A little? A lot? Don’t worry, you are not the only person who feels nervous! Many people dread having a blood test, sometimes even to the point of having an actual phobia, such as fear of blood (hematophobia), fear of needles (belonephobia) or fear of injections (trypanophobia). Even though they can be scary, blood tests are crucial for preventing and diagnosing many diseases. The good news is that there are simple ways of making the experience slightly less stressful. blood-test-kid

Communicating your concerns

People who have fears about blood tests can say so right away, either to the receptionist or medical team staff. For example, if you know you have hard-to-find veins, tell them at the start of the appointment and the healthcare professional will adapt their technique. 

At Biron, our healthcare staff are trained to adapt their approach. When you talk about your fears, you will get gentler care and reassuring explanations. You can even schedule a little more time when booking your appointment, for nervous people, so you have the best possible conditions for your appointment.

Relaxing or thinking about something else

Finding ways to think about something else during a blood test is one excellent way of not letting fear take over. Doing breathing exercises, meditating, doing positive visualisation, playing a game on your phone, talking about your favourite hobby… anything that makes you “forget” the blood test is a good idea – just like not looking at your arm while the needle is going in!

This strategy works well, especially with children. For example, a nurse caring for a young patient who loves video gaming can start a conversation about her favourite game to distract her during the procedure. A stressed patient can also watch funny videos on his phone to think about something else. All tricks are good!

Wearing the right clothes

We discourage wearing clothes which are tight or made of fabric which doesn’t breathe. A generous top with short sleeves is ideal. It makes the experience more comfortable because it’s easier for the staff caring for you to access your veins.

Prioritizing a calm, welcoming and caring setting

Waiting on an uncomfortable chair in an overcrowded room for a long time can increase your stress before a blood test. At Biron, we take charge of everyone as soon as they arrive. The atmosphere is calm, the environment respects privacy and we have comfy chairs! Every detail is thought through to make it reassuring for all our patients – whether or not they’re feeling anxious.

At-home testing

It’s hard to be more comfortable anywhere than you are at home. Having blood tests at home is a great option for people who get anxious thinking about going to a service centre, where they don’t control the environment (no matter how comfy the chairs are!). This solution means you can stay in a familiar environment and avoid the stress of travelling to or waiting at a service centre.

Hydrating well before the appointment

When you have hard-to-find veins, bloodwork can take even longer and be more uncomfortable, increasing patients’ stress levels. Drinking enough water can help healthcare staff see your veins better and find them more easily. So, it’s important to hydrate well in the hours prior to your appointment.

Blood tests are not going away: they’re crucial for diagnosing and preventing many diseases. We are proud that, for many decades, we have been caring for our patients with our highly qualified team and our cutting-edge equipment, to make this experience more pleasant. Please don’t hesitate to book an appointment at one of our service centres the next time you need bloodwork!

Biron Team
Biron Team
info@biron.com