Migraine link to female heart issue

Women who experience migraines are also more likely to suffer from major heart problems, a study has found.

Experts examined data on more than 110,000 nurses part in the American Nurses’ Health Study.

Of these, almost 18,000 had to suffer migraines when they were initially examined.

Over 20 years of follow-up, experts noted 1,329 major cardiovascular disease events and 223 women died from cardiovascular disease.

The team of researchers from Germany and the US found those who reported migraine problems had a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes compared to those who didn’t suffer from migraines.

They were also found to be more likely to die from these conditions, according to the study published in The British Medical Journal.

Women who suffer migraines should be assessed for their risk of heart problems, the authors said.

Migraines are more common in women than men.

British health website NHS Choices states the condition, usually a severe headache felt as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head, affects abound 20% of women and one in every 15 men.