Association and Distribution of Hypertension, Obesity and ABO Blood groups in Blood Donors

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it has no clear symptoms. It is strongly correlated with modifiable risk factors such as adiposities, age, stress, high salt intake. Overweight and obesity is conveniently determined from BMI and visceral adiposity is determined by waist circumference. ABO blood group is one such factor which needs to be investigated. The present study was performed to assess the association and distribution of hypertension, obesity, ABO blood groups in different categories of blood donors and its multipurpose future utilities for the health planners. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was carried out on 23, 320 blood donors during a period of one year. All the blood donors were measured BMI, ABO blood group, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were determined and correlated for each other. RESULTS Hypertension of ABO blood group was B (8.7%) followed by group O (7.6%) group A (3.7%) and group AB (1.9%). In obesity of ABO blood group was B (7.9%) followed by group O (6.2%) group A (5.8%) and group AB (1.0%). Statistically significant difference was found in both groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The B blood group in blood donor was more susceptible to hypertension and obesity.