Blood clots have been a major topic even before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Previous reports claim that the infection could cause blood clots or thrombosis among patients.
Meanwhile, recent reports of Johnson&Johnson's vaccine causing rare but serious blood clots have led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a decision to pause its use.
But vaccine aside, studies found that blood type could determine a person's risk of getting blood clots.
A preliminary study in 2017, entitled "Abstract 16041: Interaction of Genetic Variation at the ABO Locus With Short-Term Exposure to Elevated Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution Results in Differential Associations With Acute Coronary Events" published in American Heart Association's journal Circulation, suggests that the ABO blood types are at higher risk of a heart attack during heavy air pollution.
Similarly, the more recent study, entitled "Genetically Determined ABO Blood Group and its Associations With Health and Disease," published in AHA's journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, suggests that the blood type could also determine the chances of getting blood clots.
Blood Type B Has Highest Risk of Blood Clots
The study was published in January 2020 and is one of the studies that sought to establish a relationship between blood type and blood clots.
It was participated by 400,000 people with blood types A, B, and O. They found that people with blood type B were most at risk to suffer blood clots or thrombosis, Yahoo! Life reported.
Their findings showed that blood type B was 45% more likely to experience thrombosis than blood type O and 55% more likely to experience deep venous thrombosis.
Moreover, researchers said that those with blood type A are also at heightened risk with a 44% higher risk of thrombosis and 50% increased risk of deep venous thrombosis than those with blood type O.
Generally, non-type O blood was 44% more likely to experience thrombosis and 51% more likely to develop deep venous thrombosis. They are also 47% more likely to experience pulmonary embolism where blood clot travels to the lung.
The study explained that their findings were in agreement with previous smaller observational studies that suggest an increased risk of thrombosis to blood types other than blood type O. People with either blood type A or B have an increased risk of developing thrombosis compared to blood type O.
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Blood Type Protein Differences
According to Best Life, the study believes that protein differences in blood types could explain the link between blood type and blood clots. People with blood type O have a reduced amount of von Willebrand factor (VWF), which helps in the formation of blood clots.
Furthermore, researchers believe that VWF is not the only possible solution because thrombosis is a well-balanced and complex process. It could include different biological mechanisms involved in thromboembolic events among blood type A and B people.
According to AHA, blood clot risk could be lowered by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly. Dr. Mary Cushman, who is not part of the study, said that people with blood type A and B should be aware of surgery, and trauma, which increase the risk of blood clots.
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