The objective of this study was to investigate, using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), whether those who suffer from migraine or severe headache experience more strokes than those who do not suffer from migraine or severe headache do. Odds ratios were calculated for stroke among migraine sufferers compared to those who do not suffer from migraine. Results were adjusted for age, gender, and race. Risk factors for stroke were also analyzed. The crude odds ratio for stroke among migraine sufferers compared to non-migraine sufferers is 2.17, increasing to 3.77 with age-adjustment. These results suggest that vascular events that are associated with migraine may also be associated with an increased risk for stroke. Discovering the mechanism that generates this relationship has widespread implication to the population and may save taxpayers billions of dollars annually by leading to better treatments for and possible prevention of migraine.
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