Migraine Headaches Double the Risk of Stroke

Via a review nine published studies and reviews investigating the association between any migraine or specific migraine subtypes and cardiovascular disease. Markus Schurks, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues evaluated the association between migraine and cardiovascular disease, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and death due to cardiovascular disease.  The researchers determined that migraine is associated with a twofold increased risk of ischaemic stroke, which is only apparent among people who have migraine with aura. Their results also suggested a higher risk among women, with further magnified risk for people with migraine who were aged less than 45, smokers, and women who used oral contraceptives.  No overall association between any migraine and myocardial infarction or death due to cardiovascular disease was found.