Migraine may up blood clot risk

People who suffer from migraine may be at an increased risk of developing blood clots in their veins, the results of a new study indicate.

In the condition known as venous thrombosis or thromboembolism, blood clots form in a vein. This can limit blood flow and cause swelling and pain. These clots can dislodge from the vein and travel to the heart and lungs, which can be fatal.

As part of their study, researchers interviewed 574 people aged 55 and older to determine whether they had a history of migraine or currently suffered with it.

Migraine is characterised by a severe, one-sided headache that can last up to three days. It can be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and/or noise. It is Ireland's most common neurological condition, affecting over 400,000 people.

The participants’ medical records were also checked for cases of venous thrombosis. The arteries in their necks and thighs were then scanned with ultrasounds to check for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

The study found that 8% of people without migraine had experienced one or more instance of venous thrombosis. However among those with migraine, this figure rose to 19%.

The researchers do not know why migraine and venous thrombosis appear to be linked, however one theory is that the blood of people with migraine may be more prone to clotting.

The study also found that people with migraine were no more likely to have atherosclerosis, which is contrary to a current theory.

"The thinking has been that because people with migraine are more likely to have strokes and other cardiovascular problems, that they would also have more severe and early atherosclerosis. This study is the first to use high-resolution ultrasound to examine this theory, and it provides solid evidence to refute it,” said study author, Dr Stefan Kiechl of Innsbruck Medical University in Austria.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Neurology.

For more information on heart health, see...http://www.heart.ie

[Posted: Tue 16/09/2008]