Migraine linked to heart risk in some

Women who experience migraine with aura may be at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke if they have a certain gene, US researchers have discovered.

Some 18% of women in the study of 25,000 had a history of migraine, while 40% of those with active migraine reported migraine with aura. Migraine with aura can be described as neurological symptoms that usually last for about 30 minutes, and most often lead to visual disturbances. The women were also tested for a certain gene variant.

The study found that women who had both the gene variant and migraine with aura had more than three times the risk of cardiovascular disease. They also had four times the risk of stroke.

An estimated 11% of the study population carried the gene variant.

The researchers said that the gene by itself does not appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but rather this research suggests a possible connection between the gene variant and migraine with aura.

According to Dr Tobias Kurth of Harvard Medical School, Boston, doctors should try to reduce heart disease risk factors by advising young women who experience migraine with aura not to smoke. They should also consider alternatives to the birth control pill, which can increase the risk of heart problems and stroke.

“While it is too early to start testing young women with migraine with aura for this gene variant, more focused research will help us to understand these complex links and will help us to potentially develop preventative strategies," said Dr Kurth.

Since the study only looked at women, the researchers said it is not known whether the results would be the same in men.

Heart disease and stroke account for nearly 40% of Irish deaths each year. In 2007 alone some 10,000 Irish people died from heart disease and stroke.

The study was published in the online issue of the journal, Neurology.

For more information on heart health, see Irishhealth.com's heart disease clinic at www.heart.ie.

[Posted: Sat 02/08/2008]