BLOGS

A study using clinical data of hospital patients between 1993 and 2007 has found that people with blood groups A, B or AB have a higher risk of getting heart attacks due to higher levels of pollution in the environment. This is particularly due to the ABO gene- present in people having blood groups A, B and AB-which is generally validated by international studies to predict heart attacks among people with coronary diseases.
Benjamin Horne, PhD, a clinical epidemiologist and the lead investigator of the study conducted at the Intermountain Medical Centre Heart Institute says,” We wondered, if someone has a specific variation in this ABO gene, are they more or less likely to experience a heart attack in times of higher pollution?”. He also says that people who have the O blood group have a lower risk of getting heart attacks than people with non-O blood group types viz. A, B or AB.
Additionally, Mr. Horne also stated that pollution above the 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air the risk of heart disease is linear, while below this threshold the risk is negligible. Two years ago, the Intermountain Medical Centre Heart Institute published findings that showed that every additional 10 micrograms per cubic meter above the 25 micrograms per cubic meter level, the risk is potentially higher. The highest threats are during the winter, where the pollution level can increase to 100 micrograms per cubic meter, though 50-60 micrograms per cubic meter is generally the average levels seen.
There have been previous studies which have linked PM2.5 small particulate particles pollution and heart attacks, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. This study was designed to combine and tie all these previous studies and also establish how individual blood groups can affect the risk for heart disease and pollution.
In conclusion, Mr. Horne said that patients should stay indoors out of pollution and exercise indoors when pollution levels rise. They should also ensure that they take their medications regularly.
Besides Mr. Horne, the other researchers of this study include- J. Brent Muhlestein, MD, John B. Cannon, Nicholas M. Hales, John F. Carlquist, PhD, Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD and  Stacey Knight, PhD.