Cholesterol and Headache
Can high cholesterol cause headaches?
Answer: High cholesterol is not likely to give you a headache, even if you have some atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
However, causes of high cholesterol could also lead to headache:
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol consumption
- Poor diet
People with headache and migraine often have higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Migraine symptoms can mimic stroke symptoms!
Statin drugs (to lower cholesterol in high risk patients) are being studied as a migraine treatment. However, in some patients, statin drugs actually trigger headache attacks.
Bottom Line: When it comes to headache, worry less about high cholesterol itself and more about lifestyle and medication choices.
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