- Cancers. Research shows that people with type A blood are at a higher risk of developing certain stomach cancers. Bacterial infections from helicobacter pylori are more common in patients who have type A blood, and these infections can cause stomach ulcers, inflammations, and sometimes lead to cancer, Comenzo says. H. pylori may also be connected to higher rates of pancreatic cancer in blood types A, B, and AB.
- These three blood types may influence the risk of other cancers as well. “For patients who have type A, B, or AB blood, the ABO gene can also play a role in heightening the risk of certain cancers, particularly lung, breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers,” Comenzo says. But researchers still aren’t sure exactly how they are connected.
- Heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, A, B, and AB blood types are associated with a greater risk of heart attack due to coronary artery disease than type O blood. In particular, people with AB blood appear to have the highest risk. These blood types have also been linked to higher rates of clotting disorders, which is likely related.
- Stroke. A recent study found that people with blood type A were slightly more likely to have a stroke before the age of 60 than people with blood type O. More research is needed to determine what might be causing this connection, but the researchers suggest it might have to do with how different blood types contribute to clotting factors.
- Mosquitoes and malaria. In lab experiments, mosquitoes seem to prefer feeding on people with type O blood, although other genetic factors also play a part. Fortunately, having type O blood helps protect people from the most severe effects of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease.
- COVID-19. In a large study of European patients, analysis suggested that patients with Type O blood were at a slightly lower risk of dying from COVID-19.
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