Knowing our blood type may be beneficial for more reasons than we think. It can help assess our risk for certain health problems, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD). The risk of CVD varies by blood type, with non-O blood types appearing to be at greater risk.
A person’s blood type depends on the types of proteins, or antigens, found on the surface of the red blood cells and is usually defined using the ABO and RhD systems. The ABO system consists of four major blood types: A, B, AB, and O, each of which can be either RhD-positive or RhD-negative. Determining blood type is essential for safe blood transfusions and can be used to determine a person’s susceptibility to certain diseases.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that having an ABO blood type is not only linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis (a condition where arteries become narrowed and hardened), but it also plays an important role in the development of acute coronary syndrome and heart attacks (myocardial infarction).
The researchers believe that blood type plays a key role in various diseases. The hypothesized mechanism may involve regulating the hemostatic system and inflammatory response, thus affecting an individual’s susceptibility to diseases.
Relation Between Blood Types and Heart Disease Risk
Harvard University conducted two large studies over 20 years, tracking more than 60,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and more than 20,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.The findings revealed that, even after considering other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, people with blood types A, B, and AB had a higher chance of developing coronary heart disease compared to those with blood type O. Specifically, the risk increased by 6 percent for blood type A, 15 percent for blood type B, and 23 percent for blood type AB. This pattern remained the same even when only looking at white participants, with blood types A, B, and AB having an 8 percent, 10 percent, and 20 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease, respectively, compared to blood type O.
A study presented at the Heart Failure 2017 and the 4th World Congress on Acute Heart Failure analyzed data from more than 1.36 million people. It was found that people with non-O blood types (A, B, and AB) had a higher risk of heart attack than people of blood type O. The researchers pointed out that non-O blood type was associated with a 9 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease and CVD incidents (especially myocardial infarction).
Blood Types and Stroke Risk
A meta-analysis published in Neurology in 2022 included 48 pieces of literature involving more than 16,000 stroke patients and approximately 600,000 non-stroke participants. The findings show that the O blood type is associated with a reduced risk of early-onset stroke (EOS), while the A blood group is associated with an increased risk of EOS.Blood Type and Risk of IHD in Patients With Diabetes
CVD is the main cause of premature death in patients with Type 1 diabetes, especially in patients with diabetic nephropathy, where microalbuminuria is a precursor to nephropathy. A study published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology in 2020 involved more than 4,000 patients with Type 1 diabetes.
The results show that among patients with microalbuminuria, compared with people of the O blood group, patients of the non-O blood groups (A, B, and AB) had an 81 percent increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), and patients of the A blood group had a 93 percent more likelihood of IHD incidence.
The study also found that when split by blood type, patients of the A blood type who had microalbuminuria showed the greatest risk of IHD, with a 94 percent higher risk compared with patients with normal albuminuria. The researchers concluded that the A blood group is an independent risk factor for IHD in patients with Type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria.
Prevention of CVD Through Lifestyle Changes
Research on blood types helps people understand the risk of certain diseases at the genetic level so that they can prevent and deal with diseases early.At the same time, a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent CVD. The American Heart Association recommends following these simple steps to reduce the likely occurring risk factors causing heart disease and stroke incidence.
1. Stop Smoking
Studies have found that smoking increases the risk of nearly all subtypes of CVD and at least doubles the risk of many of them, including cerebrovascular disease and heart failure, and that not smoking reduces these risks.2. Choose Good Nutrition
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease. What you eat every day can affect important factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and weight, all of which are within your control.Choose foods low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients. Aim to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, skinless chicken, fish, beans, and nuts. Try to cut back on red and processed meats, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and salt. Adjust your diet based on how active you are to ensure that you’re consuming enough calories.
3. Lower High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. To help lower your blood pressure, you should:- Reduce your salt intake.
- Take any prescribed medications as directed.
- Get regular exercise.
4. Be Physically Active
Try to sit less and be more active every day. Research shows that walking at a moderate pace for 20 to 40 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week, can help lower blood pressure. Aim for a total of 150 minutes of walking each week for about three months.If you’re new to exercising, it’s OK to start slowly. Even short sessions of just a few minutes can provide health benefits.
5. Aim for a Healthy Body Weight
Eating too many calories and not being physically active can increase your chances of becoming overweight or obese. Losing weight can help lower high blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and better control diabetes. Even losing a small amount of weight—such as 5 to 10 percent of your body weight—can have positive health effects. To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, focus on good nutrition, manage your calorie intake, and stay active.6. Manage Diabetes
Diabetes raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you have diabetes, it’s important to have regular check-ups with your doctor. Work with your health care team to establish healthy eating habits, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise regularly. You might also need medications to help manage your blood sugar or insulin levels.7. Get Enough Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your heart health. The amount and quality of sleep can affect your eating habits, mood, memory, and overall health. Too much or too little sleep can be harmful, so adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. To improve your sleep quality, exercise more during the day, create a bedtime routine, and keep electronic devices out of the bedroom.8. Reduce Stress
Stress can lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking, overeating, and not exercising, which can raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. To manage stress in a healthy way, try:- Exercising regularly.
- Spending time with friends and family.
- Practicing relaxation techniques.
9. Limit Alcohol Consumption
Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure and is linked to a higher risk of stroke and peripheral artery disease. It can also lead to problems such as alcoholism, obesity, and accidents.To stay healthy, it’s recommended that women limit their alcohol intake to one drink per day and men to two drinks per day. A standard drink contains about 14 grams (0.5 ounces) of pure alcohol, which is roughly equal to:
- 12 ounces of regular beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits
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