Study Links Blood Type to Risk of Early-Onset Stroke

A recent study reveals a potential link between blood type and the risk of early-onset stroke. Researchers found that individuals with blood type A may have a slightly elevated risk, while those with blood type O may have a lower risk. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted prevention strategies.

According to a new meta-analysis led by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers, your blood type could predict your risk of having a stroke before age 60. This could lead to potential new ways to predict and prevent strokes in young adults. The findings are published in the journal Neurology.

A stroke can occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is sudden bleeding in the brain. There are two types of strokes: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is the most common type, accounting for approximately 87% of all strokes.

The study found that people with blood type A had a 16% higher risk of having an early stroke, compared to other blood types. Those who had blood type O had a 12% lower risk of having a stroke than people with other blood types.

\"Our meta-analysis looked at people’s genetic profiles and found associations between blood type and risk of early-onset stroke. The association of blood type with later-onset stroke was much weaker than what we found with early stroke,\" study co-principal investigator Braxton D. Mitchell, PhD, MPH, Professor of Medicine at UMSOM, said.

\"We still don’t know why blood type A would confer a higher risk, but it likely has something to do with blood-clotting factors like platelets and cells that line the blood vessels as well as other circulating proteins, all of which play a role in the development of blood clots. We clearly need more follow-up studies to clarify the mechanisms of increased stroke risk,\" said Dr. Kittner.

\"This study raises an important question that requires a deeper investigation into how our genetically predetermined blood type may play a role in early stroke risk. It points to the urgent need to find new ways to prevent these potentially devastating events in younger adults,\" the researchers added.

According to the source: Times of India.