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A new study published in Neurology has revealed a slight but notable link between high diastolic blood pressure and an increased risk of migraines in women. The research, however, found no similar connections between other cardiovascular risk factors and migraine occurrences, and no such associations were observed in men.
The study analyzed data from 7,266 participants, both male and female, with a median age of 67. Of those, 15% reported experiencing migraines at some point in their lives. Participants underwent comprehensive physical exams, provided blood samples, and answered questions regarding their history of migraines, including whether they had ever experienced severe headaches that interfered with daily activities.
The study focused on two main measurements of blood pressure: systolic (the pressure when the heart contracts) and diastolic (the pressure when the heart is at rest). After adjusting for various factors, including other cardiovascular risks and educational levels, the researchers found that women with higher diastolic blood pressure were 16% more likely to experience migraines for each standard deviation increase in diastolic pressure.
The researchers suggested that the link may point to a minor impairment of small blood vessels, rather than larger ones, contributing to the increased risk of migraines in women. Interestingly, no such associations were found with systolic blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obesity.
In a surprising twist, the study also found that current smoking and diabetes were associated with a lower likelihood of migraines. Specifically, smokers had 28% lower odds of experiencing migraines, while individuals with diabetes had a 26% lower likelihood of having migraine episodes.
For male participants, no significant associations were found between cardiovascular risk factors and migraines, indicating that the relationship between diastolic blood pressure and migraine risk may be gender-specific.
This study highlights a potential new avenue for understanding migraine risk and underscores the importance of monitoring diastolic blood pressure in women, especially those with a history of migraines. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these findings and their potential implications for migraine prevention and treatment.
