A recent study found that a person's blood type could predict their risk of having a stroke before reaching 60. It could be a new potential way to predict and prevent strokes, especially among young adults.
In this article, you'll read:
- Blood Type May Predict the Risk of Stroke
- Few Things You Should Know About Strokes Among Young Adults
Blood Type May Predict the Risk of Stroke
At present, the number of people experiencing early strokes keeps on rising. Heartbreakingly, many of them are more likely to die from it as it is considered a life-threatening event. Meanwhile, those who are able to survive potentially face disability for decades.
According to a new study, blood type can potentially determine the risk of stroke among young adults. These are people under the age of 60.
Researchers at the University of Michigan of Maryland's School of Medicine conducted the study. They compared the blood type of individuals who experienced a stroke at a younger age and those who experienced it when they were old or never experienced it.
Experts then discovered that people with blood type A are more likely to experience an early stroke. On the other hand, individuals with blood type O have a lower risk of having a stroke.
Blood Type A at Higher Risk, and Blood Type O at Lower Risk
Experts gathered data from 48 other studies. 17,000 stroke patients and nearly 600,00 healthy people who had never experienced a stroke were part of this study.
The researchers were able to analyse the genetic profiles of the patients. They focus primarily on the gene in their chromosome, determining whether a person has a type A, AB, B, or O blood type.
Compared with all other blood types, individuals with blood type A have a 16% higher risk of early stroke. Meanwhile, people with an O blood type have a 12% lower risk.
However, the authors of the study are still uncertain regarding the correlation between blood type and the risk of stroke. Instead, they theorise that the relationship between the two could be related to the development of blood clots.
"We still don't know why blood type A would confer a higher risk," said a neurologist and a co-author of the study.
These are factors that line the blood vessels and other circulating proteins. All of them play a role in the development of blood clots. In their research, they also discovered how the blood type stroke risk comes from blood-clotting factors.
Despite the initial prediction on the link between blood type and risk of stroke, experts did not forget to reassure those individuals with blood type A.
Michale Hill is a professor of neurology at the University of Calgary. According to him, people with blood type A should not be too concerned. It is because the findings are just preliminary and the risk of stroke is most commonly related to other genetic conditions and a person's lifestyle.
"The differences between blood group type A and someone who's type B or O are so small that for an individual person," said the professor in an interview.
In contracts, Hill did not fail to give emphasise the potential of the study. He said that it could help pave the way for future treatments. It is because of the additional information that experts discovered which has a relation to stroke.
Despite the results of the research, the experts discourage people with blood type A to worry about the risk of stroke. In truth, the findings may help doctors prepare for upcoming challenges if their patients with blood type A suffer from stroke-related health problems.
Facts About Stroke Among Young Adults
Nowadays, many young adults across the globe are experiencing a stroke. Experts consider various factors that could cause stroke in young and older people. It includes the following:
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Lifestyle habits
Signs of Stroke to Remember
The most common symptoms of a stroke are usually the same regardless of an individual's age group. You can immediately assess stroke if you remember the warning sign acronym BE FAST.
Balance - loss of balance
Eyes - changes in vision
Face - weakness on one side of the face
Arm - weakness in one arm or leg
Speech - loss of speech
Time - call 911 when any of these problems occur
Young People Recover Better From Stroke
"Stroke is a treatable disease and symptoms can be reversed completely," said an expert.
The question of whether young people recover better from stroke than older adults is still under investigation. However, there is available evidence suggesting that younger patients have more chance of good recovery than of those older adults.
It could primarily be because of the younger brain's plasticity or ability to use undamaged brain circuits. Because of this, younger individuals who suffered from a stroke need to seek therapy as soon as possible.
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