Kinds of Blood. Differences Between Men and Women

Kinds of Blood.
Differences between men and

women.
Blood Types

Although all blood is made of the same basic
elements, not all blood is alike. In fact, there are
eight different common blood types, which are
determined by the presence or absence of certain
antigens substances that can trigger an immune
response if they are foreign to the body. Since
some antigens can trigger a patient's immune
system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood
transfusions depend on careful blood typing and
cross-matching.

The ABO Blood Group System

There are four major blood groups determined by the
presence or absence of two antigens A and B on
the surface of red blood cells:
Group A has only the A antigen on red cells (and B
antibody in the plasma)
Group B has only the B antigen on red cells (and A
antibody in the plasma)
Group AB has both A and B antigens on red cells (but
neither A nor B antibody in the plasma)
Group O has neither A nor B antigens on red cells
(but both A and B antibody are in the plasma)

In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a third antigen called the Rh factor, which can be
either present (+) or absent ( ). In general, Rh negative blood is given to Rh-negative
patients, and Rh positive blood or Rh negative blood may be given to Rh positive patients.
The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood type.
The universal plasma donor has Type AB positive blood type.

Blood Types and the Population
O positive is the most common blood type. Not all ethnic groups have the same mix of these blood types.
Hispanic people, for example, have a relatively high number of Os, while Asian people have a relatively
high number of Bs. The mix of the different blood types in the U.S. population is:

Some patients require a closer blood match than that provided by the ABO positive/negative blood typing.
For example, sometimes if the donor and recipient are from the same ethnic background the chance of a
reaction can be reduced. Thats why an African-American blood donation may be the best hope for the
needs of patients with sickle cell disease, 98 percent of whom are of African-American descent.
How can we determine our blood
type?
Its inherited. Like eye color, blood type is passed genetically from your parents.
Whether your blood group is type A, B, AB or O is based on the blood types of your
mother and father.
Gender Differences in Blood Types
For an example men are at greater risk for cardiovascular and renal disease than
are age-matched, premenopausal women. Recent studies using the technique of
24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring have shown that blood pressure is
higher in men than in women at similar ages. After menopause, however, blood
pressure increases in women to levels even higher than in men. Hormone
replacement therapy in most cases does not significantly reduce blood pressure in
postmenopausal women, suggesting that the loss of estrogens may not be the only
component involved in the higher blood pressure in women after menopause. In
contrast, androgens may decrease only slightly, if at all, in postmenopausal
women. In this review the possible mechanisms by which androgens may increase
blood pressure are discussed. Findings in animal studies show that there is a
blunting of the pressure-natriuresis relationship in male spontaneously
hypertensive rats and in ovariectomized female spontaneously hypertensive rats
treated chronically with testosterone. The key factor in controlling the pressure-
natriuresis relationship is the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The possibility that
androgens increase blood pressure via the RAS is explored, and the possibility that
the RAS also promotes oxidative stress leading to production of vasoconstrictor
substances and reduction in nitric oxide availability is proposed.
Difference in blood pressure
When it comes to hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, one
should be aware of some of the differences between men and women.
High blood pressure is more common in men as compared to women before the
age of 50 years old. However, after the age of 55 years old, high blood pressure is
more common among women than men.
High blood pressure complications include heart attacks and stroke. Studies have
shown that such complications are significantly lower in women, especially in
women who have not undergone menopause. Between these two complications,
the reduction in heart attacks is much more prominent.
When comparing men and women between 40 and 70 years old with similar
degrees of high blood pressure, women have lower complication risks than men.
Therefore, to have similar damage to organs and blood vessels in women, a
greater blood pressure load is required.
Therefore, it is important for regular blood pressure screening, especially for young
and middle-aged men (20s to early 40s) and post-menopause women.

Controlling your blood pressure
Maintain a healthy weight
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common measurement for your weight and height
ratio. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 23 and 27.4, you have a moderate
risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease. Your risk becomes very
high if your BMI is 27.5 and above. Normalise your blood pressure by keeping your
BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 (the healthy weight range for Asians).

Use the following formula to calculate your BMI: Body Weight (kg) / [Height (m)]2
Reduce your daily sodium (salt) intake
Too much sodium in your diet can lead to high blood pressure. Keep your sodium
intake under 2,000mg per day (about a teaspoon of salt). Avoid adding salt to your
food as sodium is already found in most processed foods. Soya, or chili sauce,
ketchup, soup stock, salted peanuts, potato chips, bacon, ham and sausages are
some examples of foods containing sodium.
Change your diet
Reduce your food intake which is high in cholesterol and saturated fats (e.g. fat
meats, full cream milk, egg yolks, internal organs, and deep fried foods). High
cholesterol can lead to the hardening of your arteries. Increase your consumption
of fruits, vegetables and whole grains (such as wholemeal bread and brown rice).

Increase your physical activity
People who lead sedentary lifestyles are likely to become
overweight or obese and this is one of the factors that increase the
high blood pressure risk. Stay physically active by engaging in an
exercise you like, such as walking, jogging and cycling, for about 150
minutes per week.
Cut down on alcohol
Just two or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting are enough to
temporarily increase your blood pressure. If you must drink, limit
yourself to one glass.
Monitor your blood pressure
If you already have high blood pressure, you can get a digital blood
pressure set to monitor your pressure. High blood pressure has no
symptoms. Thus the only way of knowing if your pressure is under
control is to check it regularly and record the readings down on a
chart. Show the recordings to your doctor.

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