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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

ABO blood groups in relation to biomarkers of vascular structure and function in young, healthy adults – the LBA study

  • Kristina Stefansson1
  • Gurdeep Chahal1
  • Johan Hultdin1
  • Torbjörn K. Nilsson1
  • Paul Pettersson-Pablo2,3
  1. 1Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
  2. 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
  3. 3School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Abstract

Background: In the elderly, ABO blood groups influence the risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic events, with blood group O consistently showing a more favorable risk profile. However, whether these differences affect physiological markers of vascular structure or subclinical metabolic traits in early adulthood remains poorly studied.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, cardiovascular disease-related biomarkers in serum, measures of vascular structure and function, pulse-wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and ABO blood groups were assessed in a sample of young, healthy subjects aged 18–26 years.

Results: No statistically significant differences in PWV, AIx, or cIMT were identified across the different ABO blood groups. Conversely, the serum biomarkers showed distinct profiles. Individuals with blood group O presented with lower plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor (vWF) compared to all non-O carriers (0.84 kIE/L vs. non-O, 1.09 kIE/L, p < 0.05). Furthermore, blood group O carriers demonstrated significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels (4.96 mmol/L vs. 5.02 mmol/L, p = 0.02) and a trend toward lower fasting serum insulin levels (p = 0.07).

Conclusion: ABO blood groups were not associated with measures of vascular structure and function in young, healthy adults. Non-O blood groups were associated with higher vWF levels and altered glucose metabolism, suggesting that circulating cardiometabolic risk markers vary by blood group early in life.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{stefansson2026blood,
  title = {{ABO blood groups in relation to biomarkers of vascular structure and function in young, healthy adults – the LBA study}},
  author = {Kristina Stefansson and Gurdeep Chahal and Johan Hultdin and Torbjörn K. Nilsson and Paul Pettersson-Pablo},
  journal = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1186/s12872-026-06924-0},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-026-06924-0},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - ABO blood groups in relation to biomarkers of vascular structure and function in young, healthy adults – the LBA study
AU  - Kristina Stefansson
AU  - Gurdeep Chahal
AU  - Johan Hultdin
AU  - Torbjörn K. Nilsson
AU  - Paul Pettersson-Pablo
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/27
JO  - BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
DO  - 10.1186/s12872-026-06924-0
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-026-06924-0
AB  - Background: In the elderly, ABO blood groups influence the risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic events, with blood group O consistently showing a more favorable risk profile. However, whether these differences affect physiological markers of vascular structure or subclinical metabolic traits in early adulthood remains poorly studied.  Methods: In this cross-sectional study, cardiovascular disease-related biomarkers in serum, measures of vascular structure and function, pulse-wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and ABO blood groups were assessed in a sample of young, healthy subjects aged 18–26 years.  Results: No statistically significant differences in PWV, AIx, or cIMT were identified across the different ABO blood groups. Conversely, the serum biomarkers showed distinct profiles. Individuals with blood group O presented with lower plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor (vWF) compared to all non-O carriers (0.84 kIE/L vs. non-O, 1.09 kIE/L, p < 0.05). Furthermore, blood group O carriers demonstrated significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels (4.96 mmol/L vs. 5.02 mmol/L, p = 0.02) and a trend toward lower fasting serum insulin levels (p = 0.07).  Conclusion: ABO blood groups were not associated with measures of vascular structure and function in young, healthy adults. Non-O blood groups were associated with higher vWF levels and altered glucose metabolism, suggesting that circulating cardiometabolic risk markers vary by blood group early in life.
SN  - 1471-2261
ER  -