Comparison of heart rate variability in different ABO blood groups of young adults

Abstract

Background: ABO blood groups have been associated with various disease phenotypes, particularly cardiovascular diseases. The analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) signal is an important tool for studying the autonomic nervous system. Aims & Objectives: The present study was designed to find out the association between different A, B, O blood groups and HRV in normal individuals. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study included 120 volunteered healthy medical students. The subjects were grouped into four groups A, B, AB and O. HRV was analyzed by using time domain and frequency domain method during normal breathing at rest for five minutes. HRV was also analyzed during deep breathing for one minute using time domain method. Results: The analysis of HRV showed that during normal breathing, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in HRV among the ABO blood groups. HRV during deep breathing showed that there was a statistically significant increase in SDNN value (P<0.05) (standard deviation of NN interval) in O blood group subjects compared to A, B and AB blood groups. Frequency domain method did not show any statistically significant difference in (LF nu) and (HF nu) among the ABO blood groups. Conclusion: This study showed a better HRV during deep breathing in O blood group individuals. The blood type O may offer some protection from cardiovascular diseases. High risk blood group individuals can adopt a healthier lifestyle as a preventive measure for the development of cardiovascular diseases in their future.