Which blood type puts people at
highest risk for heart disease?
The
study investigated whether certain blood
types were associated with the risk of coronary
heart disease, by looking at information from two large
observational studies, the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health
Professionals Follow-up Study. These two studies followed a combined 89,501
American men and women over a 24 to 26 year period.
Participants
with the blood type AB had the
highest risk of coronary heart disease,
the Harvard researchers found. In fact, people with AB blood type were 23 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease. People who were
blood type B had a 15 percent
increased risk, and those with blood
type A had a 6 percent increased risk compared to the O blood group.
Why would blood type affect the risk
of coronary heart disease?
The
studies did not explain the exact link between blood type and heart disease.
“Blood type is very complicated, so
there could be multiple mechanisms at play,” study author Lu Qi said in a news
release.
However,
blood type A has been linked
to elevated levels of cholesterol, as well as high levels of LDL, or “bad”
cholesterol. People with blood type O
have been found to bleed more, which makes them less likely to have blood
clots. Since clots which block blood flow through coronary arteries lead to
heart attacks, this theory may very well explain the low risk for
cardiovascular issues among people with blood
type O.
What’s the link between blood type
and other diseases?
There
have been earlier studies showing links between blood type and risks of infections or diseases. Here are some
examples.
Both
men and women with blood type AB,
and women with blood type B, are more
likely to suffer from strokes than people with O blood type.
The
gut pathogen Rotavirus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, has certain strains
which are more likely to infect people with blood type A. (Infants can get vaccinated against rotavirus, and
frequent hand washing is a good preventative measure for older children and
adults.)
People
with type B blood have a 72 percent
increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and the risk is also elevated for AB blood types (51 percent) and those
with blood type A (32 percent)
compared to people with blood type O.
According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer
Institute.
It’s
not all bad news for A and AB blood
types, at least not for women seeking fertility treatments—research
shows they have more eggs in their ovaries than women with type O blood, who are more likely to
have difficulty with fertility treatments.
Certain
types of cancers seem to be more prevalent in specific blood types, according to information
compiled from 2640 male and female cancer patients in India
People
with type A blood appeared to have
higher incidences of breast cancer and lung cancer, blood types B and O were more likely to suffer from
gastrointestinal cancer, and people with type
B and A blood had higher incidents of oral cancer. In general, those with blood type A seemed to have an
increases probability of getting cancer, and those with blood type O had a significantly lower risk.
Reducing Heart Attack Risk
Taking
steps to improve your cardiovascular health can save your life, no matter what
your blood type is.
Avoiding
tobacco use, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising for a half hour or
more five days a week will reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. Eating a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables, including fish twice a week, and limiting sodium, alcohol and
sugary drinks is also recommended.
And
as reported previously, flossing your teeth, watching comedy, eating dark
chocolate, and even spending time in the sunshine are some effective, albeit
nontraditional, ways to protect your ticker.
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