Scientific research shows that your blood type can make a difference when it comes to heart health, especially heart disease, the leading cause of death.

Scientific evidence suggests that some blood types may have an increased risk of heart attack compared to others.

This may make some people less likely to have heart problems while others are more susceptible.

However, lifestyle, diet, stress management and many other factors also contribute to overall health, including heart health.

Blood type may be key to assessing risk for certain health conditions, especially heart disease

What does the scientific evidence say about blood type?

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), most studies note that people with blood types A, B, or AB have a slightly higher risk of heart disease, heart attack, and heart failure than people with blood type O.

A 2012 study that included data from thousands of participants over 20 years found that people with blood types AB, B, and A had a 23%, 11%, and 5% higher risk of heart disease, respectively, than people with blood type O.

Another 2017 study found that people with blood types A, B, and AB had a 9% higher risk of heart attack than people with blood type O.

A newer 2020 study found that people with blood types A or B had an 8% higher risk of heart attack and a 10% higher risk of heart failure than people with blood type O.

In particular, research shows that people with blood types A or B have a higher rate of blood clotting, with a 51% higher risk of deep vein thrombosis and a 47% higher risk of pulmonary embolism, serious blood clotting disorders that can also increase the risk of heart failure, according to the health news site Healthline.

The reason may be related to inflammation, according to Dr. Douglas Guggenheim, a hematologist at Penn Medicine. People with blood types A or B have higher levels of galectin-3, a protein associated with inflammation and worsening heart failure. The proteins found in blood types A and B may cause more blockages in the veins and arteries, increasing the risk of blood clots and heart disease (including heart attack and stroke).

In particular, people with blood type A tend to have higher cholesterol levels.