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People with blood type A are more likely to experience a stroke before turning 60 compared to individuals with other blood types, according to recent research. This discovery comes from a comprehensive study that analyzed genetic data from thousands of participants worldwide. told by Euronews.
The study, published in 2022, highlights a clear connection between a specific gene for the A1 subgroup of blood type and early-onset stroke. Researchers compiled data from 48 genetic studies, including approximately 17,000 stroke patients and nearly 600,000 non-stroke participants, all between the ages of 18 and 59.
Through a genome-wide search, scientists identified two locations strongly linked to an increased risk of early stroke. One of these locations matched the spot where blood type genes are found. A subsequent analysis revealed that people with the A blood group had a 16% higher chance of stroke before age 60 than those with other blood types. In contrast, individuals with the O1 blood group had a 12% lower risk.
Despite these findings, researchers emphasized that the increased stroke risk for those with blood type A is relatively small. Senior author and vascular neurologist Steven Kittner from the University of Maryland explained, “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.”
Strokes in younger individuals tend to differ from those in older adults, as they are less often caused by fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis) and more frequently by issues related to clot formation. This finding suggests that early-onset strokes may result from mechanisms different from those occurring later in life.
Another significant discovery from the study was that the increased stroke risk linked to blood type A diminished in individuals who had strokes after age 60. This indicates that the factors leading to early strokes may be distinct from those contributing to strokes later in life. report from MedicalNewsToday.
In addition, the research found that individuals with type B blood had an 11% higher likelihood of stroke, regardless of age. Prior studies have linked the ABO gene locus, which codes for blood types, with conditions like coronary artery calcification and heart attack, as well as a higher risk of blood clots in veins, known as venous thrombosis.
Although the findings are notable, researchers urge caution. Kittner noted, “We clearly need more follow-up studies to clarify the mechanisms of increased stroke risk.” Furthermore, the study’s participants were primarily of European descent, with only 35% from non-European backgrounds. Future research with a more diverse population may help refine these results.
