Blood type can affect not only compatibility during transfusions but also the risk of developing hypertension and thrombosis. According to Professor Larisa Volkova, certain genetic traits can increase the likelihood of vascular and heart problems.
The ABO blood group system was discovered back in 1901, but scientists continue to learn more about it. Is it true that genetics affects the risk of hypertension? And what do suppressed emotions have to do with it? We discuss this with an expert.
Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. It often arises from an unhealthy lifestyle. If a person eats too much salty food, which retains water, moves little, smokes, does not monitor their weight, and is stressed daily for many years, it reflects on their health. The blood vessels stop relaxing and remain in constant spasm, while the heart has to pump blood with greater force.
One of the main dangers of hypertension is its asymptomatic course. A person may not even suspect that they have high blood pressure for several years until a sudden spike or even a hypertensive crisis occurs. In this case, medical assistance is necessary.
"Plaques narrow the blood vessels and impede blood flow. A person feels nothing — the body gets used to high pressure and stops raising alarms. Even at 180/100 mm Hg, one may not be aware of the danger. And then the plaque blocks the vessel — that's how a heart attack or stroke happens," explains Larisa Volkova.
Can hypertension be inherited?
Every person has genes that regulate vascular tone and water-salt balance. These are responsible for the risk of passing on the disease.
"If one of the parents has 'broken' DNA related to the production of the protein angiotensinogen (this substance causes arteries and veins to constrict), then the child only needs to inherit one such copy for their body to start producing it in excess," explains the scientist.
This means that from childhood, the child's blood vessels will be in constant tension, and the kidneys will retain excess fluid. All of this significantly increases the likelihood of hypertension.
What does blood type have to do with it?
Prolonged study of DNA has led scientists to understand that the hypertension genes in a person dominate over the genes for normal blood pressure. Therefore, it is not surprising that the diagnosed condition occurs in more than 30% of the world's population.
Interestingly, genetic predisposition to hypertension may also be influenced by blood type. Studies show that individuals with the second, third, and fourth blood types have a higher risk of hypertension than those with the first blood type.
"The key role here is played by von Willebrand factor — one of the main proteins responsible for blood clotting. In people with the first blood type, its level in plasma is about 25% lower than in individuals with other blood types. This means that their blood is less viscous and less prone to clot formation, which naturally reduces the risks of narrowing and blockage of blood vessels," notes Larisa Volkova.
People with the first blood type also suffer less from infectious diseases, as their cells lack the antigens that viruses use as entry points. However, they more frequently experience stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal issues.
Experts emphasize that blood type can indeed influence certain health risks, but lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity, and regular blood pressure monitoring still play a decisive role. Even with a hereditary predisposition, timely prevention can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing hypertension and vascular complications.
