New study investigates the link between migraines and stroke risk

A new study has found certain types of migraines experienced before the age of 50 does not increase your risk of stroke. Previous research has found the risk of ischemic stroke is high for those who experience migraine with aura (MA).

For the study, the team analysed 447 people with migraineurs with aura (MA) and 1,128 people with migraineurs without aura (MO). The participants mostly consisted of elderly men and women who had a history with migraines. Over a 20 year span, the results showed the risk of ischemic stroke was significantly high for MA when an individual was 50 or older. However, it was not the same for those with MA before the age of 50. Researchers also found MO did not increase the risk of stroke at any age. The risk for stroke in the elderly population is as follows - MA was 8.27 percent and in MO was 4.25 percent.

Many people with a long history of migraines are very worried about their chances of experiencing a stroke. “I think clinically this is very meaningful, as many individuals with a long history of migraine are concerned about their stroke risk, especially when they get older and when they have other cardiovascular disease risks," lead author Dr X. Michelle Androulakis told a news portal.

Adding, “Cumulative effects of migraine alone–with onset of migraine before age of 50–did not increase stroke risk in late life in this study cohort. On the contrary, the recent onset of migraine at or after age 50 is associated with increased stroke risk in late life."