NEWS - Stroke risk greater for migraine sufferers -- study

[Guest guest]

Stroke risk greater for migraine sufferers -- study

Last Updated: 2004-12-13 13:02:13 -0400 (Reuters Health)

LONDON (Reuters) - Migraine sufferers are twice as likely to have a

stroke as people who do not have these debilitating headaches, Canadian

and American scientists reported on Monday.

A review of 14 studies into the link between the headaches and stroke

showed patients who have auras, or light effects, with their migraine

are even more at risk.

" The results of our study strongly suggest that migraine may be an

independent risk factor for stroke, " Ali Samii, a neurologist at the

University of Washington, said in a report published online by the

British Medical Journal.

Three studies in the review indicated that women who have migraines and

who take oral contraceptives were up to eight times more likely to have

a stroke than those not taking the pill.

Samii and Mayhar Etminan, of the Royal Hospital in Montreal and

their colleagues who collaborated on the review, believe the raised risk

is due to the reduced blood flow to the brain that occurs during a

migraine.

Ischemic stroke, which usually caused by a blood clot that blocks a

blood vessel in the brain, is the most common type of stroke.

Millions of people around the globe suffer from migraine, a severe

throbbing headache that can cause nausea, vomiting, or a sensitivity to

light, sound and odors. The cause is unknown.

The scientists called for more research into the link between migraine

and stroke risk.

" The risk of migraine among users of oral contraceptives must be further

investigated, " they added.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org