Blood group key to risk of heart disease

US researchers discover link between blood type AB and a heightened risk of coronary disease

By Jane McFadyen

Results from studies carried out on people in the United States indicate that people with blood groups A, B and AB are more likely to be at risk of heart disease than those with the most common blood type, O.

The team at Harvard University analyzed the findings of research on 62,000 women over 26 years, and one that tracked 27,400 men over 24 years.

Their work revealed that those with blood group O – which constitutes 45% of the US population – had the lowest incidence of coronary heart disease.

In ascending order, people with type A are 5% more likely to suffer heart disease; type B 11% more likely; and the most at-risk group is AB with a 23% greater chance of coronary disease.

The researchers have not yet uncovered the reason behind these findings, however, they are keen to suggest that knowing one’s degree of risk can help individuals modify their lifestyles to reduce the chance of heart problems.

The findings may also correlate to the current knowledge that type A people are also more prone to a certain type of cholesterol.

Participants in the trials were mostly Caucasian, and further research would be required to see if the results are the same across all ethnicities.