High Blood Pressure Identified As Potential Migraine Trigger
A recent study indicates that high blood pressure may increase a woman’s likelihood of experiencing migraines. Specifically, elevated diastolic blood pressure, which is the lower number in a blood pressure reading representing the heart’s resting phase between beats, is associated with a modestly higher risk of migraines in women, according to research published in the journal Neurology on July 31.
The study found that among various cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol, only higher diastolic blood pressure was linked to an increased chance of having a migraine. This finding is notable given that migraines are generally associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.
Researchers analyzed health data from over 7,200 individuals, averaging 67 years old, of whom about 15% had experienced migraines. Women with elevated diastolic pressure had a 16% greater chance of having a migraine, with the risk increasing as diastolic pressure rose. This supports the idea that migraines might be connected to issues with smaller blood vessels rather than larger ones.
Interestingly, the study did not find a similar correlation between heart health risk factors and migraines in men. This may be attributed to a lower number of male migraine sufferers in the study sample. The study’s findings suggest that migraines may not be directly linked to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. However, as the study focused on middle-aged and older adults, further research is needed to explore these relationships in younger populations over longer periods.
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