HEALTH
This is the blood type that is more prone to suffer a premature stroke according to scientific studies
Future investigations aim to clarify the mechanisms behind the increased stroke risk and explore potential preventive measures.
Recent scientific studies have shed light on an intriguing connection between blood types and the risk of premature stroke. Genomics researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) found that individuals with blood type A, particularly the A1 subgroup, may face a higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke before the age of 60 compared to those with other blood types.
The A1 Blood Type and stroke risk
The team analysed from 48 genetic studies, involving approximately 17,000 people who had suffered a stroke and nearly 600,000 controls without stroke history. All participants were between 18 and 59 years old. The findings revealed that individuals with the A1 blood subgroup had a 16% higher risk of experiencing a stroke before age 60 compared to people with other blood types.
“The number of people with early strokes is rising. These people are more likely to die from the life-threatening event, and survivors potentially face decades with disability. Despite this, there is little research on the causes of early strokes,” said study co-principal investigator Steven J. Kittner, MD, MPH, Professor of Neurology at UMSOM.
While the exact reasons for this increased risk remain unclear, researchers speculate that it may be related to blood-clotting factors. Kittner suggests that the connection likely involves platelets, cells lining blood vessels, and other circulating proteins that play a role in blood clot formation.
Contextualizing the risk
It’s important to note that while the increased risk for those with type A blood is statistically significant, the overall additional risk remains small. Experts emphasize that there’s no need for extra vigilance or screening specifically for individuals with type A blood.
Interestingly, the study also found that people with blood type O1 had a 12% lower risk of early stroke compared to other blood types. Additionally, individuals with blood type B were found to have an approximately 11% higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke regardless of age.