Do you know what blood type you are? Well, it turns out that many people have no idea at all. Yet, it has been shown that your blood type could make you more susceptible to developing certain medical conditions. Your blood type is inherited genetically and determined by the presence of certain antigens. Let’s take a look at these blood types and learn more about how they link to your health.

The ABO Blood Group System

The ABO blood group system was developed by Dr. Karl Landsteiner as a way to classify the various types of blood. These blood types are categorized by analyzing certain proteins called antigens. These proteins can be found in the plasma’s antibodies and red blood cells. Based on the type of antigen found in your red blood cells, you will either be categorized as Type A, Type B, Type AB, or Type O. They are also determined by the presence of the Rh factor, another substance found in red blood cells. If your blood cells contain the Rh antigen, they are categorized as Rh positive. If they don’t contain the Rh antigen, they are labelled as Rh negative.

Why It’s Important To Know Your Blood Type

If you are required to undergo a blood transfusion, the doctors will analyze your RhD antigen status to determine compatibility. According to Dr. Guggenheim from the Abramson Cancer Center Cherry Hill, “When antigens come into contact with substances that are unfamiliar to your body, such as certain bacteria, they trigger a response from your immune system. The same type of response can occur during a blood transfusion if your donor’s blood type doesn’t match with yours. In that case, your blood cells could clump and cause potentially fatal complications”.

Testing For Blood Type

A nurse will first need to take a blood sample to test for your blood type. This sample is then mixed with antibodies against type A and B blood. They then observe the sample to check if the blood cells stick together or not. If they do stick together, then they know that the blood reacted with one of the antibodies. They then take the liquid part of your blood that doesn’t contain cells and mix it with type A and type B blood. Individuals with type A blood contain anti-B antibodies, whereas individuals with type B blood will have anti-A antibodies. However, both types of antibodies can be found in Type O blood. This means that type O blood can be given to individuals within any blood type group.

Heart Diseases

Your chances of developing heart disease or blood clots are greater if you are part of the A, B, or AB blood type groups. According to a study published in the American Heart Association journal, it was found that people in the A or B blood type groups had a combined 8% greater heart attack risk and 10% greater heart failure risk. It was also found that individuals within these groups had a 51% greater chance of developing deep vein thrombosis. They also had a 47% higher risk of developing pulmonary embolisms.

Memory Issues

One study found that individuals in the AB blood type group could be more susceptible to developing problems with their memory in their later years. The AB blood type group only makes up around 4% of the American population, making it the least common blood type in the country. According to the study, AB blood type individuals were 82% more likely to develop memory and cognitive issues linked to dementia than any other blood type.

Stomach Cancer

Gastric cancer is the 5th most diagnosed cancer and the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death across the globe. Compared to people with type O blood, individuals in the A, B, and AB groups are said to be at greater risk of developing gastric cancer. People in the type A group were said to be at the highest risk, likely due to H. pylori infections, which are known to be more prevalent in type A blood. Usually found in the stomach, H. pylori can cause inflammation and ulcers.

Ulcers and Blood Type

While it may so far seem that those with type O blood don’t have any medical concerns, this is not really the case. Studies have shown that people in the type O group are at higher risk of developing peptic and duodenal ulcers compared to those in the other groups. Peptic ulcers are painful open sores that develop in the stomach lining and upper intestine. There is an enhanced binding of Helicobacter pylori to epithelial cells in individuals belonging to the type O blood group.