| Having a stroke can lead to devastating health | | | | Experts emphasize that the risk of stroke |
| consequences. Now, a new study finds another | | | | remains low for each individual, even though the |
| link to stroke risk: a history of migraines. | | | | occurrence of migraines appears to increase that |
| A recent study found that those individuals who | | | | risk. For instance, one study found that only two |
| suffer from persistent migraines are twice as | | | | percent of adults had suffered from a stroke, |
| likely to suffer a stroke caused by a blood clot | | | | and one percent had no history of migraines. |
| than those individuals who do not suffer from | | | | The cause of persistent migraines is still unclear, |
| migraines. Researchers examined the findings of | | | | but the symptoms stem from constriction and |
| more than 20 previous studies conducted | | | | swelling of brain blood vessels. Researchers |
| between 1975 and 2007 involving more than | | | | suggest that people who suffer from migraines |
| 600,000 adults. They seemed to uncover a link | | | | might have dysfunctional blood vessels running |
| between ischemic stroke, the most common | | | | throughout their body, thus leading to a higher |
| type, and migraine headaches. | | | | incidence of stroke. |
| The reason for this increased risk remains unclear. | | | | The findings of this study might lead researchers |
| Researchers theorize that a common underlying | | | | to investigate whether drugs that can prevent |
| process might contribute to the incidence of both | | | | migraine attacks could also lower the risk of |
| migraines and strokes. However, there is not | | | | cardiovascular problems. However, additional |
| enough data to confirm a direct link between | | | | studies will be needed in order to confirm the link |
| having migraines and running a higher risk of | | | | between migraines and stroke as well as to |
| having a stroke. Other risk factors for stroke | | | | discover what types of medications might be |
| include high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. | | | | used to reduce this risk. |