Migraine raises the risk of stroke if it begins after 50

Patients suffering from migraine with aura (MA) are at a higher risk of strokes. It is not clear what leads to this problem. Elevated homocysteine level increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks and patients with MA are more likely to have this abnormality. Another possible explanation is reported in a recent study mentioned on this blog in December, This study convincingly argues that the risk of stroke is increased because of the higher incidence of a certain type of cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation in patients with MA.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina recently discovered that the risk of strokes is higher only in migraine sufferers who started having migraines after the age of 50.

The findings were a part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Among 11,592 black and white participants, 447 had MA and 1,128 MO. The risk of stroke in those whose MA began after the age of 50 was double that of those with no headaches. MA that started before 50 was not associated with stroke. MO was not associated with increased stroke regardless of the age of onset. The absolute risk for stroke in migraine with aura is 8% and migraine without aura is 4%.

To reduce the risk of strokes (whether you have migraine with aura or not) you need to keep your cholesterol under control, not smoke, exercise regularly, maintain good blood pressure and weight.