Can Your Blood Type Influence Your Stroke Risk? Here’s What You Should Know
Recent studies suggest that individuals with type A blood may face a greater risk of suffering a stroke before reaching 60 compared to those with other blood types. Blood types are classified based on particular chemicals present on the surface of red blood cells, with the primary types being A, B, AB, and O.
A 2022 study conducted by genomics researchers revealed a notable link between the A1 subgroup gene and the occurrence of early-onset strokes. This investigation analyzed data from 48 genetic studies, encompassing around 17,000 stroke patients and nearly 600,000 control subjects, all aged between 18 and 59.
Key Findings of the Research
The genome-wide analysis pinpointed two specific regions associated with a heightened risk of early strokes. One of these regions corresponds to the genes responsible for blood type. Further examination of particular blood-type genes indicated that individuals with a variant of the A group face a 16 percent increased risk of having a stroke before the age of 60. In contrast, those with the O1 blood type demonstrated a 12 percent reduced risk.
Despite these findings, researchers have noted that the additional risk linked to type A blood is relatively minor, implying that heightened monitoring or screening for this group may not be warranted. Senior author Steven Kittner, a vascular neurologist at the University of Maryland, expressed uncertainty about the underlying factors contributing to this increased risk. He speculated that it could be associated with blood-clotting factors or proteins involved in the formation of clots.
Contextualizing the Findings
While the relationship between blood type and early stroke risk is fascinating, it’s crucial to contextualize these results. In the United States, nearly 800,000 strokes occur each year, predominantly affecting individuals aged 65 and older. The participants in the study were mainly from North America, Europe, Japan, Pakistan, and Australia, with only 35 percent identified as being of non-European descent, highlighting the necessity for further studies involving more diverse populations.
The research also compared individuals who experienced strokes before and after age 60. In the later-onset group, the increased risk associated with type A blood appeared to diminish, indicating that the mechanisms underlying early strokes may differ from those occurring later in life.
Conclusion: Implications for Future Research
Moreover, individuals with type B blood were found to have an approximately 11 percent higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke compared to controls, irrespective of age. Prior research has linked the genetic region associated with blood type to coronary artery calcification and an elevated risk of venous thrombosis.
This study emphasizes the need for additional exploration into the mechanisms driving the increased stroke risk related to specific blood types, particularly in younger demographics.
