A new study has found that blood type can predict stroke risk before the age of 60.
The findings could lead to potential new ways to predict and prevent strokes in young adults.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and was published in the journal Neurology and carried by the York Alert website.
The researchers analyzed 48 studies on genetics and ischemic strokes - which are caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain - that included 17,000 stroke patients and nearly 600,000 healthy people who did not have a stroke.
Then they examined all of the collected chromosomes to identify genetic variants associated with stroke.
Stroke and blood types
The researchers found a link between early stroke, which occurs before the age of 60, and the region of the chromosome that includes the gene that determines whether blood type is A, AB, B, or O.
Study co-lead researcher Dr. Stephen J. Kettner said: 'The number of people suffering from early strokes is increasing. These people are more likely to die from the life-threatening event, and survivors are likely to experience decades of disability. Research into the causes of early strokes.
The study found that people with early stroke were more likely to have blood type A and less likely to have blood type O, compared to people with late stroke (after age 60) and people who had never had a stroke.
The researchers also found that people with blood type A had a 16% higher risk of early stroke, compared to people with other blood types.
Those with blood type O had a 12% lower risk of stroke, compared to people with other blood types.
Should people with blood type A be concerned?
The researchers emphasized that the increased risk was very modest, and that those with type A blood should not worry about having an early stroke or engage in additional screening or medical testing based on this finding.
What are the reasons for the increased risk of stroke in blood type A?
"We still don't know why the increased risk of developing blood type A is, but it likely has something to do with blood clotting factors such as platelets and cells that line blood vessels, as well as other circulating proteins, which all play a role in the development of blood clots," Kettner said.
Previous studies suggest that people with blood type A have a slightly higher risk of developing blood clots in the legs known as deep vein thrombosis.
"It is clear that we need more follow-up studies to elucidate the mechanisms of increased risk of stroke."
How does a stroke occur?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or reduced dramatically, cutting off its supply of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die.
Because brain cells do not regenerate, this can lead to permanent brain damage.
There are 3 types of strokes:
ischemic strokes
It results from the interruption of blood supply to the brain as a result of blockage of one of the arteries leading to it, and this is as a result of a blood clot that may form in the brain or come from another place in the body such as the heart.
And increases the likelihood of stroke and the presence of narrowing in the cerebral arteries.
Ischemic strokes account for about 85% of all strokes, which were included in the University of Maryland study.
hemorrhagic stroke
It occurs due to bleeding in one of the cerebral vessels, and this is due to several reasons, including high blood pressure, a weak part of the vessel wall, or a head injury or trauma.
transient ischemic stroke
It is a type of temporary stroke that occurs as a result of a temporary interruption or decrease in the brain's blood supply, and it lasts at least 5 minutes, after which the blood supply returns to normal and therefore no permanent damage to the brain occurs.
If you've had a stroke, you're more likely to have another stroke, usually due to a narrowing or partial blockage in one of the arteries that supply the brain.
Stroke symptoms
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion and difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
Sudden disturbance of vision in one eye or both eyes.
Sudden dizziness or difficulty walking and balancing.
Severe and sudden headache with no known cause.
Dealing with a stroke
If you experience any of the symptoms, call 911 immediately, as every minute of delay increases the risk and complications of stroke.
The American Heart Association says that people who reach the emergency room within 3 hours of starting symptoms of stroke are in better health 3 months later, compared to those who receive medical care after a stroke.
Stroke risk factors
Hypertension.
diabetes mellitus;
High cholesterol.
smoking.
obesity;
Inactivity and lack of activity and sports.
Use of some birth control methods or hormonal treatments that contain estrogen.
Sleep apnea.
heart disease;
Take drugs.
Men are more susceptible than women to the disease.
The risk of stroke increases in people 55 years of age or older.
Having a family history of stroke.
Possible complications of stroke
paralysis;
Loss of control and ability to move muscles.
Swallowing difficulties.
Speech problems.
Difficulties with thinking or memory.
Feeling and behavioral problems such as depression.
An uncomfortable or painful feeling in the limb affected by the stroke.
Death
Stroke prevention
Control of high blood pressure.
Control diabetes and blood glucose levels.
Reduce the intake of foods containing cholesterol and saturated fats.
Increase the intake of vegetables and fruits with their high content of dietary fiber.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Quit Smoking.
Doing sports and being physically active.
Treatment of sleep suffocation disease if a person has it.
If he has had a stroke or TIA before, the doctor may prescribe treatments to reduce the risk of having it again, such as anticoagulants and antiplatelets.