As many as 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced the debilitating pain of a migraine. Research shows that women who have migraines accompanied by their distinctive "aura" symptoms are at greater risk of having a stroke than those who don't get migraines.
Why the link? Migraine headaches are caused by inflammation of the arteries surrounding the brain. Other arteries inside the brain may spasm during an attack as well, temporarily cutting off circulation, thus increasing the odds of a stroke.
Migraine and Stroke
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Migraine headaches are caused by inflammation of the arteries surrounding the brain.
Additional risks. Abnormalities in the lining of arteries may also allow blood to clot more readily. "And in rare cases, arteries leading to the brain may tear more easily," says Gretchen Tietjen, MD, a professor of neurology at the University of Toledo. These tears can cause vessels to narrow and clots to form. Extra estrogen from oral contraceptives (especially in smokers) or hormone therapy can further boost clotting factors to create a perfect storm for a stroke.
How to reduce your risks. Low-dose aspirin has b
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