No disease exists in a vacuum. The interconnected nature of our bodies means that pathology in one system will eventually cause issues elsewhere in the body. Migraines are no different. A condition as debilitating as migraines will inevitably ripple out into other aspects of your health. There are many diseases which have already been attributed to migraines. Heart disease is one of the most dangerous, as it increases a migraineur’s risk of chronic ill-health and death. The idea of a migraine triggering a stroke or heart attack can make every headache a terrifying experience. Here are 5 important factors for you to read through to help put your anxiety into perspective:
1 – Your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke is still very low
Yes, your risk of cardiovascular disease does increase, but it is only relative to a non-migraineur. You are most likely NOT going to suffer any heart issues due to migraines. The increased risk is significant statistically, but not so high that you should be walking around waiting for your heart to stop.
You should be just as concerned, if not more so, of the other risk factors for heart disease that you CAN control, such as diet, exercise, smoking, stress. If awareness of the link between migraines and heart disease makes you care more for your heart than you would have otherwise, perhaps it is not such a bad thing.
2 – Treating migraines seriously will keep your risk low
The increased risk of heart disease should help motivate you in managing your migraines as effectively as possible. Make a conscious effort to cut out any migraine inducing behaviours you might still be indulging in. Limit your alcohol intake. Sleep on a regular schedule. Eat healthily at regular times. Let the fact that migraines can lead to heart disease be a motivating tool to help you become the optimal version of you. Once the fear of a heart disease and migraine link abates, what will be left is a migraineur who is in control of their own health.
3 – Panic is an over-reaction.
This needs to be emphasised to every migraineur reading this article. Sometimes a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Is there a link between heart disease and migraines? Yes. This doesn’t now mean that every migraine attack will lead to a fatal stroke or heart attack. You need to put this information into perspective. You now know you have a risk factor for heart disease. It is another factor to add onto a long list of causes of heart disease. It is sometimes hard in the middle of a migraine attack not to worry that your head pain could be something worse, but you need to learn not to panic and treat your migraines as you normally would. As an expert in your own condition, you understand your migraines better than anyone else. Once you separate panic from your analysis of your condition, you will be able to make objective judgements when something IS wrong. If you sense anything awry in a particular migraine attack, contact a Doctor immediately.
4 – Honesty with your Doctor will keep you safe
For your Doctor to help you effectively, you need to be honest with him/her. This is true for migraine management; it is just as true for heart health management. It is very important you inform your Doctor of any risk factors that could increase your risk of heart disease. If you have a family history of heart issues, its important to tell your Doctor. If you have a history of smoking or alcohol abuse, this is also important to share. Keep an honest, open dialogue with your clinician so you don’t surprise him/her in the years to come.
5 – Education will empower you to stay in control
After years of suffering as a migraineur, you are an expert in your own condition. You can use the smallest piece of information about the weather, or lighting, or change in your own perception, to accurately predict when you will suffer a migraine in the near future. It is important for you to become as educated about heart disease. Read up as much as you can, learning about the various signs and symptoms you may experience if you are suffering a heart attack, or a stroke, or angina, or high blood pressure. Ask your clinician for information about heart disease. Research online. Education will help identify and treat future problems in a fast, efficient manner, keeping you healthy and safe.