Your Blood Type Can Affect Your Heart Health.

A 2011 study from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston published in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology found that people who have blood types A, B, or AB have a slightly higher risk of heart disease compared to those with type O, the most common kind.  The new study involved about 90,000 men and women in two observational health studies that cover more than 20 years.

The increased risk for type A was 8 percent; type B, 11 percent; and type AB, 20 percent.

Those who know they are at higher risk may be more motivated to make changes to lower their chances of heart disease, said Dr. Lu Qi, senior author of the study.  "We cannot change blood type but we can change lifestyle," said Qi, who led a study released last year that showed blood type may affect stroke risk.

No matter what blood type, Harvard's Qi said everyone should pay attention to risk factors they can change, including smoking, weight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle.

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Diet and exercise are extremely helpful in maintaining cardiovascular health.  Both can help maintain a healthy weight.  A diet high in antioxidants can also lend an extra protective level with its inflammatory fighting capabilities. There are many things you can do to promote longevity.

Another often overlooked or even unconsidered factor in heart health is posture. 

Probably the most common postural problem we find in American society is the Forward Head Posture.  This is simply where the head is carried forward on the shoulders as determined by a "plumb line" that runs through the ear to the shoulder.  Not only is it the most common but probably also the most detrimental.

Forward head posture results in loss of vital capacity of the lungs. Lung capacity is depleted by as much as 30%.  This shortness of breath can then lead to heart and blood vascular disease.

Even without pain, spinal postural problems can cause health issues down the road.  Just as we get preventative checkups at the dentist and eye doctor it is wise to have periodic spinal postural checkups with your doctor of chiropractic.