Migraine sufferers at increased risk of stroke

17 Nov 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

Individuals who suffer from migraines are more than twice as likely to experience the most common type of stroke.

This risk is 2.3 times bigger than people who do not have migraines, meaning that sufferers are at an increased risk of having the type of stroke where blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off due to a blood clot or the build-up of plaque.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, US, made the finding during a study on people between the ages of 18 and 70, none of whom had previously suffered from a stroke.

Senior study investigator Dr Saman Nazarian said that it is "crucial" to identify which people are at greater risk of stroke.

"Based on this data, physicians should consider addressing stroke risk factors in patients with a history or signs of light flashes and blurry vision associated with severe headaches," the expert explained.

According to UK organisation Migraine Action, migraines affect twice as many women as men.

Visit the Migraine Knowledge Centre

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• SANOMIGRAN
  Prophylactic treatment of recurrent vascular headaches, including classical migraine , common migraine and cluster headaches (periodic migrainous neuralgia). It is not effective in relieving migraine attacks once in progress ...
• TOPAMAX
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• MAXOLON 10mg Tablets
  ... Post-anaesthetic vomiting Migraine: 'Maxolon' relieves symptoms of nausea and vomiting, and overcomes gastric stasis associated with attacks of migraine. This improvement in gastric emptying assists the absorption of concurrently administered oral anti-migraine therapy (e.g. paracetamol) which may ...
• IMIGRAN RECOVERY
  Subcutaneous Injection is indicated for the acute relief of migraine attacks, with or without aura, and for the acute treatment of cluster headache. Imigran should only be used where there is a clear diagnosis of migraine or cluster headache ...
• MIGRALEVE
  Migraleve Ultra are indicated for the acute relief of migraine attacks, with or without aura. Migraleve Ultra should only be used where there is a clear diagnosis of migraine ...
• IMIGRAN tablets
  Imigran tablets are indicated for the acute relief of migraine attacks, with or without aura. Imigran should only be used where there is a clear diagnosis of migraine ...