Migraine and Heart Risks in Women
Author Information
Author(s): Tobias Kurth, Markus Schürks, Giancarlo Logroscino, J Michael Gaziano, Julie E Buring
Primary Institution: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
Does the association between migraine with aura and increased risk of cardiovascular disease vary by vascular risk groups as measured by the Framingham risk score?
Conclusion
The association between migraine with aura and cardiovascular disease varies by vascular risk status.
Supporting Evidence
- Women with active migraine with aura had a 1.93 times higher risk of major cardiovascular disease.
- The association between migraine with aura and ischaemic stroke was strongest in women with the lowest Framingham risk scores.
- Women with migraine without aura were not at increased risk of ischaemic stroke or myocardial infarction.
Takeaway
Women who have migraines with aura might be at higher risk for heart problems, especially if they have low vascular risk. It's like how some kids might get sick more often if they play outside in the cold without a jacket.
Methodology
This was a prospective cohort study involving 27,519 women free from cardiovascular disease at baseline, with follow-up for major cardiovascular events over 11.9 years.
Potential Biases
Potential for underestimation of relative risks due to self-reporting of migraine status.
Limitations
Self-reported migraine status may lead to misclassification, and the study's population was limited to health professionals, which may affect generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Participants were US female health professionals aged 45 and older.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
1.45 to 2.56
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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