London, November 19: Migraine patients are over two times more at the risk of suffering a stroke, said a new study that can help medicos identify people who are prone to strokes and take precautionary measures.
“Identifying people at highest risk is crucial to preventing disabling strokes,” said lead researcher Saman Nazarian of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The researchers, who analysed results of 21 separate studies, involving 6,22,381 men and women, found that stroke risk was 2.3 times more in patients with migraines than those without it. The risk factor was higher in women (2.9 times) than in men (2.5 times). “Based on this data, physicians should consider addressing stroke risk factors in patients with a history or signs of light flashes and blurry vision associated with severe headaches,” Nazarian said.
The preventive measures range from stopping smoking to taking anti-blood pressure or blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, he said. In women with migraines, stopping use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy may be recommended, he said in the paper presented at the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions in Orlando.
Contraceptives and other estrogen therapies are known to contribute to long-term risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
–PTI