Your persistent migraines could be a sign of a much more deadly condition

Millions of people suffer from near-constant migraines, which can be so severe that they are forced to take time off work and cancel appointments.

While the neurological condition can be serious in itself, it can also be a sign of a dangerous health condition that people are unaware of.

Dutch researchers found that migraines in women, but not in men, are linked to high blood pressure. People with hypertension are at least 16 percent more likely to also suffer from migraines.

The team suggested that migraines and blood pressure may be linked, because high blood pressure can reduce blood flow in small blood vessels.

This can reduce oxygen supply to brain cells and trigger a migraine attack.

High blood pressure, which affects 120 million Americans, is also linked to a host of other health problems, including strokes and heart attacks. High blood pressure can increase the risk of blood clots in the brain and damage to blood vessels.

More than 39 million Americans suffer from migraines each year. These symptoms can be treated with medications and lifestyle changes to avoid potential triggers.

It is not clear what causes it: severe headache with painful throbbing or pulsating movements. One leading theory is that it is high blood pressure.

The researchers said their results do not prove that all people with high blood pressure get migraines, only that it may be a possible cause of the condition.

While the team did not recommend that people with migraines check their blood pressure regularly, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends doing so at least once a year for people over age 40.

For the study, published in the magazine Neurologyresearchers analyzed data from 7,266 people who were on average 67 years old.

Of these, 15 percent reported having previously suffered from migraines.

All participants underwent a physical examination, a blood test, and completed a questionnaire about the frequency of their migraines.

After accounting for risk factors such as physical activity and education level, the researchers found that female participants with higher diastolic blood pressure were more likely to experience migraines.

Diastolic blood pressure is the lower number between the two values ​​and indicates the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

Systolic blood pressure, on the other hand, is the highest number and represents the pressure in the arteries as they beat.

A healthy blood pressure for most adults is about 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

The researchers found no similar association between migraines and high blood pressure in men, but they say this may be because few men participated in the study.

Dr. Antoinette Maassen van den Brink, pharmacologist at Erasmus MC and leader of the study, says: ‘Previous research has shown that migraine is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart disease and heart attacks. However, less is known about how risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are associated with migraine.

‘In our study, we looked at known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes, smoking, obesity and high cholesterol. It showed that only female participants with higher diastolic blood pressure had a higher risk of migraine.’

The team also investigated how smoking and diabetes might be linked to migraines.

Researchers found that smokers are 28 percent less likely to have migraines, and diabetics are 26 percent less likely.

Dr Maassen said: ‘These results should be interpreted with caution as they do not prove that smoking reduces the risk of migraine.

‘Smoking can actually trigger migraine attacks and that is why people who choose to smoke are less likely to actually get migraines.’

Previous research has shown that nicotine in cigarettes can have a painkilling effect, reducing the risk of migraines. Diabetics who use blood pressure lowering drugs can also reduce the risk.

However, both conditions prevent the small blood vessels from dilating, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of migraines.