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Study connects migraines to heart disease

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Individuals who regularly suffer from migraine headaches with aura (a type of vision disturbance caused by migraines) may benefit from blood pressure and cholesterol testing to assess their heart health. A new study has found that this condition increases the risk of death from heart disease.

Researchers from the University of Iceland examined the medical records of 18,725 men and women from the island nation. They found that those who suffered from migraines with aura were more likely to die during the study period from a heart condition than those who did not suffer from the ailment.

There was no association between heart disease and individuals who suffer from migraines without aura, according to the study, which was published in the British Medical Journal.

Klaus Berger wrote in an accompanying editorial that some migraine sufferers may be able to "use the opportunity to modify their lifestyle and risk factors accordingly" and that "clinicians must carefully weigh the decision whether or not to discuss the risks related to this condition."

The study noted that migraine sufferers may be able to use cholesterol testing to determine if their condition has elevated their risk for heart disease.