Migraine Increases Your Risk for Heart Disease – but what types?

A recent study in the British Medical Journal aimed to find out which types of cardiovascular disease were more likely in migraine patients.

It’s actually well known that migraine is associated with heart disease. Most often, the types mentioned are stroke and heart attack. But this study of tens of thousands of migraine patients gives us more insights into where the risk really is.

So your risk of these heart conditions may be increased if you have migraine:

• Ischemic Stroke: The most common type of stroke. Yes, migraine tends to increase your risk.
• Myocardial Infarction: More commonly known as heart attack. Yes, migraine seems to increase your risk.
• Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): Also very common, third in line (in the vascular category) after stroke and heart attack. It is a blood clot that starts in a vein. Yes, migraine seems to increase your risk.
• Atrial Fibrillation: The most common abnormal heart rhythm. Quite common in people over 65. Yes, migraine may increase your risk.
• Heart Failure: Also very common, but migraine does not seem to increase your risk.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A narrowing of the peripheral arteries to the legs, or possibly stomach, arms, or head. No increased risk with migraine.

The risk tended to be higher in women, and also in those who experienced aura with their migraine attacks.

It bears repeating that this is not a drastically increased risk. You’re not by any means guaranteed to get any of the above conditions if you have migraine.

However, it does increase your risk significantly enough for researchers to take notice. And if you have other risk factors, you should think about how to lower your risk.

These types of studies not only help us measure our risk, they also help us understand migraine. Researchers are trying to delve into why migraine and heart disease are connected, which should help us understand both better in the future.

For more information, see Migraine May Be Linked to More Cardiovascular Diseases, Study Says

Also be sure to read Migraine and Heart Disease: 7 Critical Things to Know Now