Which Blood Type Has the Highest Risk of Early Stroke? New Study Reveals the Answer

Research suggests that certain blood types are at increased risk of getting early strokes, especially type A, due to genetic and clotting-related factors.

A recent study reveals that there’s a link between blood type and the risk of stroke in early ages. They found that individuals with blood type A were associated with a 16% greater chance of having a stroke before the age of 60 years, while blood group O was associated with a 12% decrease in the risk.

A study released last week found the first evidence of an association between blood type and risk of stroke, which suggests that individuals with blood group A, B, or AB are significantly more likely to experience a stroke before the age of 60.

Can your blood type hold important information about your health?

A meta-analysis published in 2022 included 48 genetic studies, including data for almost 17,000 people who suffered from ischemic strokes before the age of 60. There was also a significant relationship between ABO blood group and risk of early stroke. The finding published in 2022 deepens the understanding of how biological and genetic factors can impact health consequences.

The main blood types, including A, B, AB, and O, are identified from some specific chemical substances known as antigens which is on the surface of red blood cells. Even within these major categories, some distinctions result from the random genetic mutations that determine how these antigens are presented.

Which type of blood has the greatest level of risk?

According to the evidence, people with the blood group A are at greater risk for early stroke, with having over 16% higher chance of getting prone to a stroke before the age of 60. Meanwhile, individuals with blood type O, the most common type of blood type in the world, might have some protection from the risk; blood type O has 12% lower chances of a stroke.

Blood type B and AB show a weaker association with the stroke. Blood type AB might have the highest risk in some populations.

But how is the blood group linked with strokes?

Individuals with blood groups other than A have higher levels of clotting proteins, such as von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, that can lead to a higher predisposition for an early stroke.
Genetic correlation of the ABO gene suggests that it can be related to early stroke.
Type A individuals have a slightly higher risk due to clot-related conditions such as deep vein thrombosis.

All these results suggest that blood type could be a small but it’s notable indicator of stroke risk at a young age, especially type A blood, but can reduce their chances in late years. Also, young blood clotting risk is tied to clotting factors, while older age can result in blockage in the arteries. This also portrays that the stroke risk of blood type A is 16% higher than other blood groups in East Asia. Similarly, the B type provides a little higher stroke for all age groups, but the impact is also less. These evaluations are risk stacking, but not a panic about the blood type.