A recent study (actually, a study of studies, known as a systematic review and meta-analysis) published in the journal Cephalalgia suggests that the risk of dissection of the cervical artery is twice as high for people with migraine. With all the links that have been found between migraine and heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and the like, it shouldn’t be a surprise that more links are being found.
What is cervical artery dissection? The cervical arteries are a set of four major arteries in your neck. Dissection occurs when the lining of one of these arteries becomes torn. It can become serious when clots form in the tears. Cervical artery dissection is a major cause of stroke in people under 50.
Because there are four arteries, even a clot often causes no problems. But a dissection can cause severe headache, pain in your face and neck, and other symptoms. Neck pain is often an early warning sign.
Because neck pain is common in migraine, sometimes a diagnosis of cervical artery dissection is missed.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of cervical artery dissection such as the above (stroke-like symptoms may be present as well), talk to your doctor. She will examine you and ask about your medical history, and possibly send you for more tests (various scans and ultrasounds may be used).
Dissections may heal up on their own, or you may need to take medication to deal with clots. But be sure to talk to your doctor if you think your symptoms may be more than migraine – especially if your symptoms have recently changed.
A summary of the study: Migraine, migraine aura, and cervical artery dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
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