New studies are uncovering an alarming association between women who experience migraines and stroke.
Migraines are debilitating and painful, and a new study suggests that they also might be a risk factor for cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack.
A study conducted by the Institute of Public Health’s Professor Tobias Kurth is mentioned in Science Daily. The study involved nurse participants between the ages of 25 and 42 free of cardiovascular disease. Fifteen percent of those involved had been diagnosed with migraine. This 15% made up 17,531 individuals, and of that grouping 1,329 women experienced a cardiovascular event. Of those 1,329 women; 223 died from the event. Professor Kurth notes of his findings that: “‘ The risk of developing cardiovascular events was shown to be 50% higher in women with a diagnosis of migraine. When compared to women unaffected by the condition, the risk of developing a heart attack was 39% higher for women with migraine, the risk of having a stroke 62% higher, and that of developing angina 73% higher.'”
Cause for concern?
This is the first of what we expect to be more studies to come concerning the connection between migraine sufferers and stroke, but this should not yet be a call for alarm. An editorial that accompanied the story notes: “‘ The magnitude of the risk should not be over-emphasized [as] it is small at the level of the individual patient, but still important at a population level because migraine is so prevalent.'”
A similar study with a focus on the men who experience migraines and their incidence of cardiovascular event will also be important in understanding this connection. At the moment it does appear that people with migraines should take extra care with their cardiovascular health. Exercise, healthy eating, and quitting smoking are all important factors for good cardiovascular health.
If you are suffering from migraines, live in the Naples, Florida area, and would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about the specific headache type and treatment plan, the exceptional Fort Myers and Naples neurologists of Neuroscience and Spine Associates are here for you. We can properly diagnose your headache and advise you on cardiovascular health if you have concerns about the migraine stroke connection.
