A comparison was made at the University of Maryland School of Medicine between the blood type of those who suffered a stroke and those who never experienced one at all. The study, published in the journal Neurology on Wednesday, collected data from 48 recent studies about stroke and nearly 600,000 healthy individuals who had never experienced one. The genetic profiles of the patients were analyzed, specifically the gene present on their chromosome which appears in the blood type: A, AB, B, or O.

According to Canadian Blood Services, 39 percent of Canadians have blood type O, making it the most common blood type. Blood type A ranks second, with 36 percent of the population having this type.

Michael Hill, a professor of neurology at the University of Calgary, says that people living with blood type A should not worry because stroke is commonly associated with other genetic conditions and a person’s lifestyle, unlike blood group O. Hill said in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca on Thursday: "The differences between blood type A and a person of type B or O are very small for the individual; it will not change what you do or how you live your life.”

While the cause of stroke among young people includes heart problems or genetic factors, one-third of strokes affect those who work from home between the ages of 18 and 59. The causes of stroke vary somewhat, with smoking or diabetes considered major risk factors for stroke.