Migraine With Aura Can Double Stroke Risk

Related Encyclopedia • AIDS and HIV Infection • Alzheimer's Disease • Amenorrhea • Amniocentesis More... Related Healthscout Videos From Belly to Breast: Rebuilding After Cancer Laser Surgery Saves Twins Targeting the Cause of Austism: Medicine's Next Big Thing? Stem Cells Save Legs? More... Related Animations • Alzheimer's Disease Video Animation • Angioplasty • Animation: What is Hypertension? • Breast Reduction More... Related Drug Information • Accupril • Actonel • Altace • Avapro More... Related News Articles • New Moms' Brains May Grow After Childbirth • Health Tip: Reduce Your Chances of Aneurysm • Mom's Suicide May Raise Child's Odds for Later Suicide Attempt • Estrogen May Boost Women's Recovery From Trauma More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

"In the scheme of things, aura is just one among many potential risk factors for stroke, so it is important to put this in context," said Dr. Elizabeth Loder, chief of the division of headache and pain at Brigham and Women's Hospital and author of an accompanying journal editorial.

"The risk of stroke for most people with migraine is low -- stroke is an uncommon event -- and so a doubling of that low baseline risk is not cause for alarm," she said. "Although it's not a reason for panic, having aura is a reason to pay extra attention to other stroke risk factors that can be modified. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and use of estrogen-containing contraceptives."

Other experts agreed.

Text Continues Below

---

Dr. Vincent Martin, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Cincinnati, said that "we have always known that the risk of stroke increased in patients with migraine, but this clarifies the situation in terms of which groups of migrainers are at more risk."

"If you are a female and you've got migraine with aura, you really need to be careful about managing your risk factors for stroke, because your risk for stroke is increased," he said. Smoking and birth control pills just aren't a good idea, he added.

More information

For more information on migraine, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2