In a recent study, it was discovered that many traditional factors that increase the risk of heart disease are actually linked to a lower risk of migraines in women. This surprising finding came from a study published in Neurology.
The study was carried out by Linda Al-Hassany and her team at Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands. They analyzed data from a large group of people to understand how certain heart disease risk factors affect men and women differently when it comes to migraines. The data included information on whether people had ever experienced migraines and if they had any heart disease risk factors like smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
The study looked at 7,266 middle-aged and elderly people living in the community. It was found that 14.9 percent of these people had experienced migraines at some point in their lives. For women, certain heart disease risk factors were linked to a lower chance of having migraines. For example, women who smoked currently had a lower chance of having migraines, as did those with diabetes and higher fasting blood sugar levels. However, women with higher diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats, were more likely to have migraines.
Interestingly, no similar connections were found between these heart disease risk factors and migraines in men.
Although the exact reasons behind these findings are not yet clear, the researchers believe that factors not traditionally associated with heart disease and issues with small blood vessels, as indicated by higher diastolic blood pressure, might play a role.
Migraine is a type of headache that can cause severe pain, often on one side of the head. It may also come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but they are believed to involve changes in the brain and genetic factors. Common triggers include stress, certain foods, and hormonal changes.
To treat and manage migraines, several approaches can be taken:
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications that prevent migraines, and drugs that reduce symptoms once a migraine starts.
- Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep hygiene can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
- Alternative Treatments: Acupuncture, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques have been found helpful for some people.
Key Insights:
- Women with certain heart disease risk factors might have a lower risk of migraines.
- Higher diastolic blood pressure in women is linked to a higher prevalence of migraines.
- These findings suggest a unique connection between heart health and migraines in women that does not appear in men.
Source:
Al-Hassany, L., et al. (2023). Neurology.