People with non-O blood at greater risk of heart attack

People with non-O blood could be at greater risk of stroke and heart attack, research suggests.

Scientists say it's because A, B and AB blood contains higher levels of a blood-clotting protein.

The research, which was presented at the 4th World Congress on Acute Heart Failure, analysed studies involving 1.3m people. It found that people 15 in 1,000 people with non-O blood suffered a heart attack, compared to 14 in 1,000 people with O blood.

While these figures don't sound that startling at first, when applied to a whole population the numbers become more important.

It is hoped that the findings will help doctors better identify who is at risk of developing heart disease.

However, Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said the findings would not have a large impact on the current advice issued by the charity.

"Most of a person's risk estimation is determined by age, genetics (family history and ethnicity) and other modifiable risk factors including diet, weight, level of physical activity, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

"People with a non-O blood group type - AO, BO and AB - need to take the same steps as anyone wanting to reduce their CVD risk."

So regardless of your blood type, the advice remains the same: improve your diet, weight, level of physical activity and don't smoke. In addition, manage blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes too.

There's nothing you can do about your blood group, but you can make positive lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.