Exploring Genetic Link Between Migraines, Cardiovascular Trouble
June 4th 2009 03:18
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TUESDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding that speaks to the complicated connection between having migraines with aura and an increased risk of cardiovascular trouble, Harvard researchers report that a gene variant that was suspected to be a link between the conditions is not but that two genotypes could well be.
"Migraine with aura, in women in particular, is associated with about a doubling of the risk of stroke and heart attack," said Dr. Richard Lipton, director of the Montefiore Headache Center in New York City.
Research has shown a strong relationship between migraines and an increased risk for stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease, especially in women and especially in those also experiencing auras, or visual disturbances, right before their migraine.
Their theory is bolstered by the fact that both migraines and cardiovascular disease can be treated effectively with ACE inhibitors, drugs that inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is critical to cardiovascular health
The research involved 25,000 white women who were part of the Women's Health Study, including 4,577 who had migraines currently or in the past. During about a dozen years of follow-up, 625 heart attacks or strokes were reported.
As it turned out, the researchers found no association between the ACE D/I variant and migraine, with or without aura. Nor was a linkage found between the variant and cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke (involving restricted blood supply to the brain) or heart attack.
However, in an unexpected twist, women who reported migraine with aura and had the DD or DI genotype had a doubling of their risk for cardiovascular disease.
There appeared to be no heightened risk among those women with the II genotype, the study found.
source:medicine.net
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Ok, so here's my thoughts. I have chronic migraine, but I also get auras, and my pain level will rise.
I also have some not so good genetic factors. My mother had carotid artery disease, my oldest brother has it. One of my brothers had a stroke at the same age my fahter had his first stroke, 52.
With my brother that had the stroke, the doctors could only say it must be genetic. This brother doesn't smoke, drink, he exercises, eats right.
There are other issues in my family genes, but this concerns me alot as it is risk along with migraine. But any doctor doesn't seem to really take it seriously. I do have hashimoto's thyroiditis. I don't sit around and worry. I am as active as I can be considering my pain level.
I have been able to swim this past month about 4 to 5 times a week, 30-40 min at a time.
But the past few days have been very hard with the migraine pain level.
It drives me crazy that women are not taken as seriously as men where health issues, family history, symptoms are concerned.
With the results of studies in recent years, it certainly seems like women should be taken as seriously as men when it comes to health concerns!
TUESDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding that speaks to the complicated connection between having migraines with aura and an increased risk of cardiovascular trouble, Harvard researchers report that a gene variant that was suspected to be a link between the conditions is not but that two genotypes could well be.
"Migraine with aura, in women in particular, is associated with about a doubling of the risk of stroke and heart attack," said Dr. Richard Lipton, director of the Montefiore Headache Center in New York City.
Research has shown a strong relationship between migraines and an increased risk for stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease, especially in women and especially in those also experiencing auras, or visual disturbances, right before their migraine.
Their theory is bolstered by the fact that both migraines and cardiovascular disease can be treated effectively with ACE inhibitors, drugs that inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is critical to cardiovascular health
The research involved 25,000 white women who were part of the Women's Health Study, including 4,577 who had migraines currently or in the past. During about a dozen years of follow-up, 625 heart attacks or strokes were reported.
As it turned out, the researchers found no association between the ACE D/I variant and migraine, with or without aura. Nor was a linkage found between the variant and cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke (involving restricted blood supply to the brain) or heart attack.
However, in an unexpected twist, women who reported migraine with aura and had the DD or DI genotype had a doubling of their risk for cardiovascular disease.
There appeared to be no heightened risk among those women with the II genotype, the study found.
source:medicine.net
***************************** ***************************** ***************************** ************************
Ok, so here's my thoughts. I have chronic migraine, but I also get auras, and my pain level will rise.
I also have some not so good genetic factors. My mother had carotid artery disease, my oldest brother has it. One of my brothers had a stroke at the same age my fahter had his first stroke, 52.
With my brother that had the stroke, the doctors could only say it must be genetic. This brother doesn't smoke, drink, he exercises, eats right.
There are other issues in my family genes, but this concerns me alot as it is risk along with migraine. But any doctor doesn't seem to really take it seriously. I do have hashimoto's thyroiditis. I don't sit around and worry. I am as active as I can be considering my pain level.
I have been able to swim this past month about 4 to 5 times a week, 30-40 min at a time.
But the past few days have been very hard with the migraine pain level.
It drives me crazy that women are not taken as seriously as men where health issues, family history, symptoms are concerned.
With the results of studies in recent years, it certainly seems like women should be taken as seriously as men when it comes to health concerns!
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