New scientific findings shed light on an unexpected stroke risk factor in relatively young adults. It turns out that belonging to a certain blood group can increase the likelihood of having a stroke before the age of 60. This conclusion was reached by an international research team that analyzed genetic data from tens of thousands of people across different countries.
The focus was on blood group A, more specifically its A1 subtype. People with this gene variant experienced strokes more often than those with other blood types. Although the difference in risk is modest, it is statistically significant. Scientists emphasize that we are talking about early strokes—those that occur before retirement age.
Genetics and stroke
In a large-scale analysis, data from nearly 17,000 stroke patients and around 600,000 people without this diagnosis were examined. All participants were between 18 and 59 years old. The study included residents of North America, Europe, Japan, Pakistan, and Australia, providing the most objective picture possible.
The results showed that having the gene responsible for the A1 subtype increases the risk of stroke by 16% compared to other blood groups. In contrast, people carrying the O1 gene had a 12% lower risk. Interestingly, those with blood group B also had a slightly higher risk, though not as pronounced as in those with A1.
Risk mechanisms
Exactly why blood type affects vascular events is still not fully understood. Experts suggest it may be related to blood clotting characteristics, platelet function, and the condition of blood vessel walls. All these factors play a crucial role in the formation of clots, which are the main cause of stroke.
The authors of the study emphasize that the additional risk for people with the A1 blood type is small, so there is no reason for panic or special medical supervision. Nevertheless, this discovery is important for understanding how genetics and biology influence health.
Age and specific features
Scientists compared data from patients who suffered a stroke before and after the age of 60. It turned out that the link between blood type and stroke risk only appears in relatively young people. In older age, this factor is no longer significant, which may indicate different mechanisms of stroke development at various stages of life.
Most strokes, specialists note, occur in people over 65. However, the number of cases among young people is rising, and it is for this group that the new data is particularly relevant. At the same time, the study showed that people with blood type B have a slightly higher risk of stroke, regardless of age.
A global perspective
The study included participants from various ethnic backgrounds, but the majority were of European descent. This means that further research with more diverse samples is needed for definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, it is already clear: genetics and blood type are not the only, but important, elements in the complex mosaic of stroke risk factors.
Scientists emphasize the importance of not overlooking other causes of stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle. These risk factors remain the main targets for prevention.
In case you didn’t know, the University of Maryland is one of the leading research centers in the US, with specialists in vascular neurology and genetics. In recent years, a team led by Steven Kittner has been actively studying the impact of hereditary factors on the development of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Their discoveries are helping doctors around the world better understand disease mechanisms and develop new approaches to prevention and treatment.
