The following is a transcript of a report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks that first aired April 18, 2008, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

---

Findings presented at the American Academy of Neurology in Chicago say women who have weekly migraines are at a greater risk for stroke.

For the average migraine sufferer, the absolute risk of a heart attack or stroke is low. But the new study said the frequency of migraines, along with other cardiac risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and oral contraceptives, could influence the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Researchers looked at nearly 28,000 women ages 45 and older. None had cardiovascular disease when the study started. During the 12 years of follow up researchers found that women who had weekly migraines were three times more likely to have a stroke. Those who had migraines every other month or so were 1.5 times more likely to have a heart attack than those who had migraines every week.

Researchers said they aren't sure why the frequency makes a difference. But they said they do know very often those patients turn to strong painkillers to stop their headaches. Codeine and oxycodone are just a few of the prescription drugs used.

Researchers found the strong painkillers might make migraines even more frequent.

Doctors from Albert Einstein College of Medicine surveyed 24,000 people, asking them what they took to stop their migraines. Within a year, 209 of the patients had gone from fewer than 15 days of headache each month to having them a lot more often.

People who took painkillers at least eight times per month were twice as likely to develop chronic migraines within a year.

At the same time, researchers found that patients who took non-steroidal drugs for migraines, including aspirin, Advil and Motrin, did not have any higher risk for developing chronic migraine.

---

Related Links:
More County News

Get RSS | E-Mail Alerts

---