This Blood Type Puts You at Risk for Dementia

Alek Korab
·2 min read
3

Your blood type can tell you a lot about yourself, and researchers are discovering it can even indicate if you might get certain diseases. Besides telling you if you might have a heart issue or get diabetes—or even what kind of personality you have, according to one report—your blood type may be predictive of certain memory problems, including dementia. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You Have "Long" COVID and May Not Even Know It.

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Which Blood Type Puts You Most at Risk?

Corona virus COVID-19 laboratory research,scientist examine blood sample under microscope,closeup of hand holding pipette,convalescent whole blood research for possible platelet-rich plasma treatment
Corona virus COVID-19 laboratory research,scientist examine blood sample under microscope,closeup of hand holding pipette,convalescent whole blood research for possible platelet-rich plasma treatment

"People with blood type AB may be more likely to develop memory loss in later years than people with other blood types", according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Keep reading to see if you're at risk.

2

What Exactly is the Risk?

Moody aged man feeling unhappy.
Moody aged man feeling unhappy.

"AB is the least common blood type, found in about 4 percent of the U.S. population," says the AAN. "The study found that people with AB blood were 82 percent more likely to develop the thinking and memory problems that can lead to dementia than people with other blood types."

RELATED: Sure Signs You May Have Dementia, According to the CDC

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What is Factor VIII?

Medical worker making blood test for detection of antibodies and infections
Medical worker making blood test for detection of antibodies and infections

"Researchers also looked at blood levels of factor VIII, a protein that helps blood to clot. High levels of factor VIII are related to higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia," says the AAN. "People in this study with higher levels of factor VIII were 24 percent more likely to develop thinking and memory problems than people with lower levels of the protein. People with AB blood had a higher average level of factor VIII than people with other blood types."

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What is the "Least Risky" Blood Type to Have?

Female Technician holding blood tube test, a rack of blood samples Tubes of patients in laboratory in the hospital.
Female Technician holding blood tube test, a rack of blood samples Tubes of patients in laboratory in the hospital.

According to the AAN, "Previous studies have shown that people with type O blood have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, factors that can increase the risk of memory loss and dementia."

RELATED: 5 Ways to Prevent Dementia, Says Dr. Sanjay Gupta

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Regardless, Blood Type is Not the Only Risk Factor

A senior woman stretches during her workout. Mature woman exercising. Portrait of fit elderly woman doing stretching exercise in park. Senior sportswoman making stretch exercises
A senior woman stretches during her workout. Mature woman exercising. Portrait of fit elderly woman doing stretching exercise in park. Senior sportswoman making stretch exercises

"If you were to do the same study and look at smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and other lifestyle factors, the risk of dementia is much, much higher," said Dr. Terence Quinn, a clinical lecturer in stroke and geriatric medicine, first posted on WebMd. "People who are worried about dementia, whether they have that blood group or not, should look at making those lifestyle changes." And to get through life at your healthiest, don't miss these 13 Everyday Habits That Are Secretly Killing You.

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