- Migraine causes of stroke (migrainous infarction)—stroke occurs during the migraine attack
- Stroke occurs more frequently in persons who have or have had migraine, but not during an attack.
- Migraines mimic stroke and stroke can mimic a migraine.
- Ischemia or hemorrhage can trigger a migraine-like, or aura-like event.
- Migraine and stroke share a common cause — such as cardiac shunt – better known as patent foramen ovale (PFO) — or an abnormality of blood vessels, due to a genetic condition called CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal-Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) a form of hereditary stroke disorder.
- Migraine is associated with silent stroke.
Tips for lowering risk of stroke and heart disease:
The American Migraine Foundation suggests that persons suffering from a migraine:
- Maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get at least 8 hours/night.
- Don’t smoke cigarettes.
- Be evaluated and treated for conditions known to cause stroke and/or heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Ask your doctor whether meds, which in addition to decreasing inflammation and clotting, are right for you.
- Avoid the use of contraceptives containing estrogen — especially if you smoke or have a personal or family history of blood clots.