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A groundbreaking study published in the journal Menopause sheds light on a significant health risk for women experiencing both migraine and persistent hot flashes. Conducted independently of traditional heart disease risk factors and estrogen use, the study underscores the heightened cardiovascular risk associated with these combined symptoms.
The research, believed to be the first of its kind, delves into the joint influences of migraine and hot flashes, collectively referred to as vasomotor symptoms. These symptoms, arising from changes in blood vessel activity, have long been associated with menopause. However, the study reveals a concerning correlation between these symptoms and cardiovascular health.
According to the findings, women with both migraine and persistent vasomotor symptoms were 1.5 times more likely to develop heart disease and 1.7 times more likely to experience a stroke compared to women without these symptoms. Notably, women with either migraine history or persistent hot flashes did not face a significantly increased risk of heart disease, underscoring the unique impact of their combination.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, emphasized the importance of considering female-specific factors like migraine and vasomotor symptoms in cardiovascular risk assessment. She stressed the need for refining existing risk prediction models to better identify women at future risk and emphasized the significance of risk factor optimization for women with these conditions.
The study, which involved nearly 2,000 women spanning from ages 18 to 61 years, underscores the widespread prevalence of migraine and hot flashes among women. Hot flashes affect approximately 80 per cent of women transitioning through menopause, while migraines are notably common among women of late-reproductive age, impacting roughly 17.5 per cent of women.
The results of this study highlight the critical need for tailored approaches to cardiovascular risk assessment and management in women, taking into account their unique physiological experiences. As women navigate through various stages of life, understanding and addressing these factors becomes increasingly crucial for safeguarding their heart health and overall well-being.
