Tennova Healthcare Highlights the Head-and-Heart Connection
3/19/2018
Migraines linked to heart attack, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular disease
Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S., and it isn’t just the traditional risk factors we need to be concerned about. People who experience migraine headaches may be more likely to develop certain cardiovascular problems, according to a new study.
Taking charge of your heart health starts with understanding your risk factors. That’s why Tennova Healthcare is drawing attention to the latest science related to the link between migraines and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark and Stanford University in California have confirmed something that scientists have known for several years. Frequent migraine headaches are a risk factor for heart attack and stroke—especially among women. The study also found that migraines were associated with an increased risk of other cardiovascular problems, such as blood clots that start in a person’s veins as well as atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heart rhythm. The findings were published in the January 31 issue of The BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal).
“A migraine is not just a bad headache,” said Ravi S. Mehta, M.D., an interventional cardiologist with Tennova Healthcare. “Instead, it’s a debilitating condition characterized by recurring, severe pain on one or both sides of the head. Migraines may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound or light. When visual or other sensory problems occur, this is referred to as ‘migraine with aura.’”
It is estimated that migraines affect approximately 39 million people in the U.S., according to the Migraine Research Foundation. While most sufferers experience migraine attacks once or twice a month, more than 4 million people have chronic migraines with at least 15 severe headaches per month. Migraines tend to run in families, and are most common between the ages of 25 and 55.
In the new study, the researchers looked at data from approximately 51,000 adults who suffered from migraines, compared with over 510,000 migraine-free subjects. The study revealed that people with migraines had a twofold increased risk of stroke over 19 years of follow-up. Further, the risk of heart attack was 1.5 times greater, the risk of blood clots was 1.6 times greater, and the risk of atrial fibrillation was 1.3 times greater—compared with people who did not have migraine headaches.
In detail, the researchers found that 25 in every 1,000 people with migraines had a heart attack, compared with 17 in every 1,000 migraine-free adults. For every 1,000 people with migraines, 45 had an ischemic stroke—caused by a blood clot in the brain—compared with 25 in every 1,000 people without migraines. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 47 of every 1,000 people with migraines, compared with 34 in every 1,000 migraine-free subjects.
The study found that women who suffered frequent migraines and people who had “migraine with aura” had the greatest risk of stroke, heart attack and atrial fibrillation. These findings remained after accounting for a number of different factors, including smoking status and body mass index (BMI).
“It’s important to point out that the study was purely observation, so the researchers were unable to prove cause and affect between migraines and cardiovascular health,” Dr. Mehta said. “However, the study findings—combined with those of other studies—indicate that migraine headaches should be deemed a significant risk factor for cardiovascular problems in both men and women.
“As people get older, the risk for developing heart disease increases,” he added. “Family history of heart disease also increases an individual’s risk. These two factors can’t be changed, but there are several things you can do to decrease your risk for heart disease, such as quitting smoking, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.”
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes
- Unhealthy diet and physical activity
- Overweight and obesity
How healthy is your heart? To find out, Tennova offers a free heart health assessment at TennovaHeartHealth.com. In as few as five minutes, the online tool identifies personal risk factors for heart disease, offers tips to take control of your heart health, and provides a report to share with your physician.
Visit TennovaHeartHealth.com to take the free heart health assessment. For a referral to a heart specialist, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).
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