The effect of ABO blood group on von Willebrand response to exercise

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2008 Oct;14(4):454-8. doi: 10.1177/1076029607305530. Epub 2007 Dec 26.

Abstract

Individuals of O blood group have significantly lower plasma levels of either Factor VIII (FVIII) or the von Willebrand factor (vWF). Conversely, there is accumulating evidence that elevated FVIII-vWF levels may represent an important risk factor for ischemic heart and venous thromboembolic disease. In this study, individuals exercised for 20 minutes at 10% below the first ventilatory threshold (aerobic threshold), which corresponds to 48% of maximum oxygen uptake. People with non-O blood group show higher resting and postexercise vWF levels compared with those of O blood group, as evidenced by a lower maximal heart rate. The groups were compared using the ANOVA one-way test, and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. These results could change the way in which exercise training is designed for both healthy and sick individuals because O group individuals could have a more thrombogenic response to exercise.

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System*
  • Adult
  • Exercise*
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • von Willebrand Factor / analysis*

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • von Willebrand Factor