For most people needing a small number of transfusions, long‑term effects are minimal compared to the benefits. There are two common long‑term concerns:

·       Iron overload in people who receive many transfusions over months or years (e.g., thalassemia, some cancers). This is managed with special medicines (chelation) and regular monitoring.

·       Development of antibodies against certain blood groups in people who receive repeated transfusions. Blood banks address this by more detailed matching in future transfusions.

Your doctors will weigh these risks against the immediate risk of not transfusing. In life‑threatening situations, the benefits of transfusion almost always outweigh the risks.