Migraines Raise Heart Disease Risk

Migraines raise heart disease risk - People who suffer from a severe form of migraine are more likely to die of heart disease and strokes, a study has found.

Around six million people in Britain have migraines. One in four of them have to endure the type called migraine with aura, which can last up to 72 hours and cause visual disturbances, dizziness and nausea. The condition is thought to affect twice as many women as men.

Previous studies have suggested that people who suffer from migraines, with or without aura, are more likely to develop heart disease and strokes.

But this study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), is the first to show links between migraine with aura and specific causes of death.

Icelandic researchers looked at 18,725 people who had been asked about whether they suffered from migraines and followed them for up to 40 years.

They found that those who had migraine with aura were 27 per cent more likely than those without migraines to die from cardiovascular disease, which includes both heart disease and strokes.

Those with the condition were 28 per cent more likely to die from coronary heart disease, and 40 per cent more likely to die of a stroke.

Suffering from normal migraine also increased the risk of mortality compared to those who did not suffer at all from them, but by a lesser degree.

Exactly why migraines increases such risks is unclear. Some academics have suggested they could be caused by underlying weaknesses with the body's network of blood vessels.

Medics questioned whether GPs should tell such patients about the resultant increased mortality rates - described by the report's authors as "significant but modest".

In an accompanying editorial in BMJ, Dr Klaus Berger from the University of Muenster in Germany argued: "For many people the information will cause an unwarranted amount of anxiety, although others may use the opportunity to modify their lifestyle and risk factors accordingly."

He concluded: "Clinicians must carefully weigh the decision whether or not to discuss the risks related to this condition."

Judy O'Sullivan, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This study identifies a small increased risk of death from heart and circulatory disease for anyone who suffers from migraine with aura.

"Like everyone else, those affected should be vigilant when it comes to spotting signs of a heart attack, and should call 999 for an ambulance immediately if they’re worried.

"They should also reduce their risk of heart disease in the future by avoiding smoking, regularly exercising and eating a balanced diet." ( telegraph.co.uk )