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In a recent study published in the July 31, 2024, issue of Neurology, researchers explored the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and migraine, focusing on how these factors might influence the likelihood of experiencing migraines. The study, led by Dr. Antoinette Maassen van den Brink of Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam, suggests that while migraine is known to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, the direct connection between specific cardiovascular risk factors and migraine remains complex.
The study examined a cohort of 7,266 participants, with a median age of 67 years, of whom 15% reported having experienced migraine at some point. Participants underwent physical exams, provided blood samples, and answered questions regarding their migraine history. The researchers specifically analyzed the relationship between well-established cardiovascular risk factors—such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol—and the occurrence of migraines.
One of the key findings was that high diastolic blood pressure, which occurs when the heart is resting between beats, was associated with a 16% increased odds of having a migraine in female participants per standard deviation increase in diastolic blood pressure. This suggests a potential link between elevated diastolic pressure and migraine in women, but no similar association was found for systolic blood pressure. The study did not find significant connections between other cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol, obesity, or smoking, and the prevalence of migraine in women.
Interestingly, the study found that current smoking was associated with a 28% lower odds of having migraine, while diabetes was linked to a 26% lower odds. However, Dr. Maassen van den Brink cautions that these findings do not imply causation. Instead, smoking may trigger migraine attacks in some individuals, possibly leading to a lower reported prevalence among smokers.
In contrast, the study found no associations between cardiovascular risk factors and migraine in male participants. Dr. Maassen van den Brink notes that the limited number of male participants with migraine could contribute to this lack of association.
Overall, the study’s results suggest that migraine may not be directly related to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, highlighting the need for further research. Future studies should consider younger populations and longer follow-up periods to better understand the complex relationship between cardiovascular health and migraine.
For more details, refer to the full article in Neurology (2024).
