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Migraine

Migraine with aura increases the risk of stroke

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 6, pages 128–129 (2010)Cite this article

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Migraine—in particular, migraine with aura—seems to confer an increased risk of ischemic stroke and might also be linked with other cardiovascular events. Findings from a new meta-analysis support the former association; however, insufficient data exist to conclude whether this type of headache increases the risk of nonstroke cardiovascular disease.

Some individuals with migraine experience transient focal neurological symptoms, which are usually visual in nature, just before or during headache attacks. These symptoms are collectively known as aura and can also include sensory, aphasic and/or motor disturbances.1 Considerable evidence has been published linking migraine—particularly migraine with aura—with an increase in the risk of ischemic stroke. Some studies have gone further and suggested a broader relationship between migraine and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The determination of the extent to which migraine is a marker or a risk factor for CVD is important from a public health viewpoint, as migraine affects ≈18% of women and 6–7% of men, with approximately one-third of these people experiencing migraine with aura.2 Furthermore, the possible link between migraine and CVD has immediate relevance to clinical practice. Physicians need to know whether to counsel their patients with migraine in relation to the risk of cardiovascular events. Moreover, the level of this risk might influence decisions regarding triptan prescription, as these drugs are contraindicated in patients with CVD. Investigators have now attempted to evaluate the link between migraine and CVD and, thus, address the public health-care and clinical considerations surrounding this possible association.3

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, 20814, MD, USA

    Ann I. Scher

  2. Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Gateway Building, Suite 3C 309, 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, 20892, MD, USA

    Lenore J. Launer

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  1. Ann I. Scher
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  2. Lenore J. Launer
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Correspondence to Ann I. Scher.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Scher, A., Launer, L. Migraine with aura increases the risk of stroke. Nat Rev Neurol 6, 128–129 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2010.14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2010.14

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