Your blood type plays an essential role in your heart health. Learn about the connection between heart health and your blood type.
Even if you’ve never thought much about it, your blood falls into one of these groups: A+, A-, B+, B-, O-, O+, AB+, and AB-. If you don’t know your blood type, then it’s time to find out, as research suggests it can have an impact on your heart health.
In addition to playing a crucial role in an emergency, knowing your blood type can also provide insight into your health. The following is an overview of the connection between heart health and your blood type.
Different Blood Types Explained
Blood types contain letters (A, B, and O) and a positive or negative sign. These letters represent the various forms of the ABO gene, with A and B programmed to produce antigens on red blood cells and O not producing any antigens.
Moreover, the positive and negative signs represent the presence (positive) or lack of (negative) proteins on red blood cells. Since type O- blood doesn’t have any antigens or proteins, it’s considered the universal donor because anybody’s body will be able to accept it in an emergency.
Blood Types and Heart Disease
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), those with type A, B, or AB blood are more likely to experience heart failure or a heart attack. Moreover, while they note that the increased risk is small, there is a much higher difference in clotting rates.
According to Dr. Douglas Guggenheim, a hematologist with Penn Medicine, this increase may be due to inflammation in those with types A, B, or AB blood. Furthermore, he believes this may also explain the decrease in risk of severe COVID-19 in those with type O blood, although the information is currently inconclusive.
Additional Consequences
While people with type O may have slightly lower risks of heart disease and clotting, they may have a higher risk of hemorrhaging or bleeding disorders. In addition, due to a higher blood loss, they may fare worse in a traumatic injury situation. People with AB blood may also have an increased risk for cognitive impairment, which includes problems with memory, concentration, and decisiveness.
The Outlook
While blood type may play a small role in heart health, other factors such as diet, exercise, and environment play an even bigger role. “A well-balanced, heart-healthy diet in general is going to be what any physician is going to recommend, and I would say that ABO doesn’t change that,” says Guggenheim.
In addition to diet and exercise, you can also give your health an extra boost by taking supplements like HeartBeet Complete. Its ingredients effectively promote circulation, blood pressure health, energy levels, and more. Give your heart the support it deserves by knowing your blood type, leading a healthy life, and taking HeartBeet Complete.
