People who have migraine with aura are more than twice as likely to have a stroke as those who have migraine without aura, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Association’s meeting earlier this month. The increased risk was found in ischemic strokes, which are caused by blood clots that cut off blood flow to brain cells and account for about 87% of all strokes in the US. Previous studies have identified an increased risk of ischemic stroke for people who have migraine with aura. This is the first study to look at the three subtypes of ischemic strokes: thrombotic, cardio-embolic, and lacunar.

In comparing participants who have migraine with aura to those who have migraine without aura, researchers found:

• Participants with migraine with aura were 2.4 times more likely to have an ischemic stroke than those without aura.

• Migraine with aura participants were three times more likely to have a cardio-embolic stroke. In this type of stroke, a blood clot or mass forms in the heart, is dislodged, and travels to the brain.

• Migraine with aura patients were twice as likely to have a thrombotic stroke. A thrombotic stroke is caused by a clot or mass in the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.

• No difference in lacunar strokes, which are caused by blockages of the small arteries that supply blood to deep brain structures.

These findings come from an ongoing study with 25 years of data from 12,844 adults aged 45-64. In the study, 817 participants had ischemic strokes.

The average age of a person who has a stroke linked to migraine with aura tends to be younger the typical stroke patient, so it’s important to be extra-vigilant.

If you have migraine with aura, please talk to your doctor about your stroke risk factors and how to manage them. The American Stroke Association recommends screening for hardening of blood vessels and irregular heartbeat, both of which can be linked to ischemic strokes.

REFERNCE

Sen, S.; Androulakis, M.; Dennis, L.; Rosamond, W.; Gottesman, R.; & Shahar, E. (2016, February 17). Migraine With Aura Linked to Clot-Caused Strokes. Paper Presented at the International Stroke Conference, Los Angeles, CA.