Summary

With their study, Kurth et al provide compelling evidence of increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women over 45 with Migraine with aura. The evidence also shows no increased risk with Migraine without aura. Even though there is increased risk with Migraine with aura, it's no reason for panic. The increased risk translates to 18 additional major CVD events attributable to Migraine with aura per 10,000 women per year. This study provides incentive for patients and physicians to be more vigilant about modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and for studies to determine if there are medications that can be used to prevent Migraine attacks and reduce CVD risk. If you have Migraine with aura, this is a topic to discuss with your doctor.

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Resources:

Kurth, Tobias, MD, ScD; Gaziano, J. Michael, MD, MPH; Cook, Nancy R., ScD; Logroscino, Giancarlo, MD, PhD;Diener, Hans-Christoph, MD, PhD; Buring, Julie E., ScD. (2006) "Migraine and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women." JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:283-291.

Lipton, Richard B., MD; Bigal, Marcelo E., MD, PhD. "Migraine and Cardiovascular Disease." JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. July 19, 2006—Vol 296, No. 3.

Women's Health Initiative. Women's Health Study. National Institutes of Health. Bethesda.