Blood Typing
What type of blood do you have? ;)
What is blood typing?
Blood typing is a method used to tell what specific type of blood you have. This method breaks blood down blood into 4 types which are grouped in the ABO blood typing system.
How does blood typing work?
A sample of your blood is mixed with antibodies against type A and B blood cells, the sample is then checked to see if the cells stuck together. If they did stick together this means the blood cells reacted with one of the antibodies. Next they back type. Serum, which is the liquid part of your blood without cells is mixed with type A and B. People with type A blood will have anti-B antibodies. People with type B blood have anti-A antibodies. Those with type O blood have both types of antibodies.
Why is this test performed?
This test is performed because healthcare providers need to know what type of blood you have. They need this information for things like if you're in a car wreck or any other accident. Also for when you need a transfusion or transplant. Etc.
- If you have type A blood, you can only receive types A and O blood.
- If you have type B blood, you can only receive types B and O blood.
- If you have type AB blood, you can receive types A, B, AB, and O blood.
- If you have type O blood, you can only receive type O blood.
Jobs involved?
Phlebotomy tech
Lab tech
Pros and Cons
A pro would be that if someone has type o blood and they donate, it can be given to anyone because A and B both work with type o blood. A con would be that if you do have type o blood, you can only receive type o blood.
Your blood type may put you at risk for heart disease
According to a new study, people who have the blood type A, B or AB have an increased risk of heart disease and a shorter life span than people who have type O blood. Heart disease risk and life span are also measured by many other factors like excercise, diet plan and health overall. So people with blood types other than type O shouldn't necessarily be worried. Studies also show that people with non-O blood type have higher risk for certain cancers and cardiovascular disease. They also are more likely to form blood clots.
"It was very interesting to me to find out that people with certain blood groups — non-O blood groups — have a higher risk of dying of certain diseases," said the study's lead investigator, Dr. Arash Etemadi, an epidemiologist at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Citations
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003345.htm
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/01/15/your-blood-type-may-put-at-risk-for-heart-disease/
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