Do Migraines Increase Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?

An analysis of data collected from 115,541 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II indicates that migraines may be an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that women with a history of migraines had a greater risk for major cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and angina/coronary revascularization procedures compared to women who did not have migraines. The research team adds, “These results further add to the evidence that migraine should be considered an important risk marker for cardiovascular disease, at least in women… Given the high prevalence of migraine in the general population, an urgent need exists to understand the biological processes involved and to provide preventive solutions for patients.” British Journal of Medicine, May 2016