A recent study reveals that certain blood types may increase the risk of stroke before age 60. This discovery could guide new research.
Conducted by the University of Maryland, the study analyzed genetic data from thousands of patients who had experienced a stroke. The goal was to better understand the implicated factors. Researchers compared 17,000 patients who had suffered a stroke with 60,000 healthy individuals. They focused on genetic differences between these groups.
The results highlighted a marked trend: individuals with blood type A have a significantly higher likelihood of suffering a stroke before the age of 60. Specifically, their risk is increased by 16% compared to other blood types. This suggests that biological mechanisms related to blood clotting, such as the formation of clots, may be involved in these patients.
Conversely, individuals with blood type O seem to enjoy a natural protection against this type of vascular accident. Their risk of experiencing an early stroke is reduced by 12%, a figure that intrigues researchers. They hypothesize that certain specific properties of this blood type, perhaps linked to a lower tendency to form clots, could explain this difference.
This contrast between blood types A and O is now a priority research focus to better understand how our genetics influence our vascular health.
In addition, blood type B also appears to be affected, though to a lesser extent. Indeed, individuals with this blood type have an 11% higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke, regardless of their age. Researchers are continuing to explore this phenomenon.
This study provides a new perspective on the causes of early strokes. In the long term, it could help identify at-risk individuals. Further research is needed to understand precisely why some blood types are more exposed than others.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND