High diastolic blood pressure has been linked to a marginally increased likelihood of experiencing migraines in women, based on findings from a recent study. Diastolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. Interestingly, the research did not identify a significant connection between other cardiovascular risk factors and migraines.
Recent research highlighted a connection between high diastolic blood pressure and a slight rise in the likelihood of migraines in women, according to a study published in the July 31, 2024, online edition of Neurology®, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Diastolic pressure occurs when the heart is in a resting state between beats. However, the study did not find evidence linking other cardiovascular risk factors to migraines.
“Previous studies indicate that migraines are associated with an elevated risk for cardiovascular issues like stroke, heart disease, and heart attacks, but the connection between risk factors for cardiovascular issues and migraines is less understood,” remarked Dr. Antoinette Maassen van den Brink from Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. “Our research examined well-known cardiovascular disease risk factors, including diabetes, smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol, and discovered an increased likelihood of migraines among women who had elevated diastolic blood pressure.”
The study comprised 7,266 participants, both male and female, with an average age of 67, and 15% reported having had migraines before or at the time of the survey.
Each participant underwent physical assessments and provided blood samples. They were also queried about migraines, specifically about severe headaches that interfered with daily activities.
After accounting for various cardiovascular risk factors like physical activity and education levels, researchers found that women with higher diastolic blood pressure had a 16% increased chance of experiencing migraines for every standard deviation increase in diastolic blood pressure. This measure serves as a reference point to compare diastolic blood pressure to other cardiovascular risk elements. No significant associations were noted for systolic blood pressure. Dr. Maassen van den Brink suggested that this supports the idea that migraines may be more related to minor blood vessel dysfunction rather than issues with larger blood vessels.
No connections were observed in females concerning high cholesterol or obesity, and current smoking was linked to a 28% reduced likelihood of having migraines, while diabetes showed a 26% lower likelihood. Dr. Maassen van den Brink cautioned, “These outcomes should be viewed carefully, as they do not establish that smoking lowers the risk of migraines. It may be that smoking triggers migraine episodes, leading those who smoke to be less likely to have migraines.”
Among male participants, researchers found no relationships between cardiovascular risk factors and migraines.
“Our findings suggest that migraines aren’t directly connected to traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors,” stated Dr. Maassen van den Brink. “Since our study focused on middle-aged and older adults, further research is required with younger individuals over extended periods.”
A limitation of the research was the low number of male participants with migraines, which may explain the absence of associations for males regarding cardiovascular risk factors and migraines.
The study received funding from the Dutch Research Council.
