Possible association between ABO and Rh(D) blood groups and hypertension

Objective: To determine the possible association between ABO and Rh(D) blood groups and hypertension. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study, blood pressure of a convenient sample of 510 (268 men and 242 women) subjects attending a general health care facility in Shiraz, South of Iran, was measured. ABO and Rh(D) blood groups were also determined for each subject. Chi square test was used to assess the frequency distribution of blood groups among hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors for hypertension. Results: The mean±SD age of participants was 52.3±10.1 years. Of 510 studied subjects, 208 (40.8%) were hypertensive. The frequency distribution of neither ABO nor Rh(D) blood groups was significantly different in hypertensive vs normotensive subjects (p=0.815, p=0.440, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis of the data revealed age as the only independent predictor of hypertension (OR=1.109; 95% CI: 1.083–1.135). Conclusion: We could not find any evidence in favor of the hypothesis that ABO or Rh(D) blood groups might be risk factors for hypertension.