Migraines During Pregnancy May Increase Stroke Risk

Pregnancy is an exciting time for a mom-to-be as she prepares to welcome a new life into the world; but pregnancy can bring challenges of its own, particularly if the mother-to-be suffers from migraine headaches. The hormonal fluctuations experienced with pregnancy can cause migraines to become more frequent and severe. Even more disturbing is a study showing that women who experience migraine headaches during pregnancy may be at a higher risk for other health problems, particularly stroke.

A Study

This study which was published in the British Medical Journal looked at over eighteen million post-pregnancy hospital discharges, analyzing ones making reference to migraine headaches. The researchers noted that women who had migraine headaches during pregnancy were at a higher risk not only of stroke, but also of heart attack and blood clots. The association was even more pronounced for older women. Women over the age of forty were significantly more likely to experience migraine during pregnancy, putting them at higher risk for serious complications such as stroke.

Why Is Stroke Risk Increased With Migraines During Pregnancy?

Previous studies have already shown that migraine sufferers have an increased stroke risk (up to two times) compared to those who don’t suffer from migraines and the risk is even greater if a woman is taking oral contraceptives. This would suggest that the hormonal changes associated with use of the birth control pill might increase the risk of stroke in migraine sufferers and could also account for the higher stroke risk in women who experience a migraine during pregnancy.

 The Bottom Line

This study suggests that pregnant women with a history of migraine headaches should be particularly aware of the early warning signs of stroke. Unfortunately, migraine headaches and stroke can have similar signs and symptoms in some cases, making early stroke detection difficult. A sign that a migraine during pregnancy could be a stroke include a headache that’s more severe than usual. The headache associated with a hemorrhagic stroke is often described as “the worst headache ever”. A headache that lasts longer than usual can also be a warning sign. Other important signs include numbness, confusion, visual problems, loss of balance, dizziness, or problems speaking. A migraine during pregnancy that has any of these signs and symptoms needs immediate medical attention. A migraine during pregnancy is usually not a sign of stroke or other serious complication, but why take the chance? Awareness is important for protecting the life of both mom and the developing baby.