Association between Migraine and Cardiovascular Diseases among Women of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Hyderabad – A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Objectives: Women tend to have a higher risk of migraine compared to men. Apart from the conventional risk factors, this study aims to provide insight into the association between migraine and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of this study was to assess the association between CVDs and migraine along with other conventional factors among migraineurs with and without aura. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was done among the women attending outpatient of a tertiary care hospital those having hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke at the age of >30–60 years, and those who do not have any of the CVDs. Conventional risk factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, frequent junk food intake, BMI, and presence of diabetes were assessed along with migraine status adhering to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3. Comparison of risk factors among cases and controls was done using the Chi-square test and independent t-test whichever was appropriate. Results: Our study included 191 cases and 191 controls; among the cases, hypertensives were predominant. There was a statistically significant association between migraine and any CVD with an increased risk of 12.35 times (confidence interval 7.12–21.4). The only statistically significant risk factor among the cases was the frequent intake of junk food and uncontrolled status was more among those migraineurs having an aura. Conclusion: The importance of migraine as one of the risk factors should be kept in mind among CVDs to implement prevention strategies at the earliest.