Does Your Blood Type Influence Your Risk Of Developing High Cholesterol? Here's What We Know

A 2012 study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology presented an intriguing potential link between blood type and high cholesterol risk. Researchers examined data regarding the development of coronary health disease in thousands of human subjects, concluding that people with A, B, or AB blood types were more likely to develop cardiovascular problems than those with blood type O. 

But can your blood type actually be a reliable predictor of your chances of being diagnosed with high cholesterol? In an exclusive interview with Health Digest, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor for Fortune Recommends, explains that while older findings suggest that blood type could influence an individual's high cholesterol risk, science hasn't been able to conclusively support the exact mechanism or link behind the theory. 

Says Dasgupta, "Cholesterol levels are mostly about genetics, what you eat, and your lifestyle. Cholesterol is made up of 'good' (HDL) and 'bad' (LDL) cholesterol, and high LDL can clog your arteries, which isn't great for heart health." In other words, you may be better off taking a more proactive approach to lowering your cholesterol.

What steps can you take to keep your cholesterol in check regardless of your blood type? Dasgupta recommends five actions to aim for every day.

First, he advises bulking up your meals with fiber: "Adding fiber to your diet, especially from foods like oats, beans, and fruits, helps lower cholesterol. Fiber can keep your body from absorbing too much of the 'bad' stuff, and it's an easy change — just start adding fiber-rich foods each day." (Note: By 'bad' stuff, Dasgupta is referring to LDL cholesterol.)

What are some fiber-packed choices that are widely available? The Mayo Clinic offers a long list that includes apples, bananas, pears, potatoes, broccoli, peas, popcorn, sunflower seeds, and other easily accessed foods. Therefore, you shouldn't feel limited in your options when moving to a diet with lots of heart-friendly fiber. (Be sure to increase your intake of fiber gradually, though. Otherwise, you might have to deal with unpleasant side effects like bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or even blockages, according to Healthline.)

Next up, Dasgupta encourages all people who want to manage their cholesterol to choose healthier fats. "Swap out saturated fats (like those in red meat and butter) for healthier fats from olive oil, nuts, or avocados," he explains. "It's a small switch that can make a big difference in helping lower your LDL."

One of Dasgupta's suggestions for lowering your cholesterol involves moving your body regularly; think 30 minutes of brisk walking several times a week. He explains that by exercising consistently, you can boost your HDL cholesterol. And as your HDL cholesterol keeps getting higher, it will help keep your LDL cholesterol in check.

Science supports Dasgupta's claim that embracing a fitter lifestyle can be a solid way to avoid soaring cholesterol levels. For instance, a 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association explored the effects of 12 weeks of moderate-intensity and high-intensity exercise on younger men. Both types of exercise led to pronounced cholesterol benefits among participants, meaning you can choose the intensity that feels best for you and still get benefits.

Want another example of science supporting exercise as a method of keeping cholesterol at manageable levels? A 2021 article in Hypertension urges healthcare practitioners to consider prescribing exercise as a first-line treatment for high cholesterol in individuals with mild to moderate risk profiles — no blood typing needed.

Another solution for decreasing cholesterol that Dasgupta recommends is limiting your consumption of sugars as well as refined carbs. "Sugary snacks and refined carbs (like white bread) can push up cholesterol," he says. "Replacing these with whole grains and lower-sugar options can go a long way in improving your cholesterol levels."

How much sugar is too much? The American Heart Association sets the bar at 36 daily grams of sugar for men and 25 daily grams of sugar for women. To give a little perspective, 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) of gala apple contains 11.8 grams of sugar, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Therefore, if you're a woman, two 100-gram servings of gala apple would nearly cover your sugar for the day.

In terms of refined carbs, seek to replace as many as possible with complex carbs. As MedicalNewsToday explains, complex carbs tend to be found in what might be called "whole" (or in their most natural form) foods. A healthier carb swap might be to trade bread made from white, enriched flour to bread made from whole wheat flour.

As a final way to lower cholesterol, Dasgupta suggests that smokers ditch their cigarette habit. Smoking can bring down your "good" cholesterol and increase your "bad" cholesterol. Together, these results can lead to blood vessel damage, which can then cause blockages that narrow the arteries, upping the risk of high cholesterol.