Women With Migraines at Higher Risk of Stroke

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The findings are published in the September issue of the journal Stroke.

Kittner advised that women who have migraines with visual aura should stop smoking and discuss with their doctor the pros and cons of using oral contraceptives.

One stroke expert said the new study adds to research that had already found that migraines with aura increase the risk of stroke in women.

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"Many studies have linked migraine with the risk of stroke," said Dr. Tobias Kurth, an associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "But this study shows other factors that may increase the risk."

Kurth also advises women with migraines to stop smoking. "It really increases the risk of stroke, especially in combination with oral contraceptives," he said.

Whether treating migraines would lower the risk of stroke isn't known, Kurth said. "It's only speculation that if you treat migraine this risk goes away," he said. "There is no data looking at this question."

More information

To learn more about stroke, visit the American Stroke Association.

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