Study Finds Alarming Stroke Odds for Pregnant Women with Migraines
Pregnant Women with Migraines Are 10 Times More Likely to Have an Ischemic Stroke and 45 Times More Likely to Have a Brain Hemorrhage
Pregnant women with migraines are at a significantly heightened risk for stroke according to a new study conducted by New York Medical College (NYMC) faculty and medical students and published in the Journal of Women’s Health. While the results were broadly consistent with existing literature, which shows that pregnant women with migraines tend to have higher rates of vascular risk factors and a greater risk of stroke and obstetric complications, what stood out for the NYMC researchers were the high-odds ratios.
“Our study found an approximately 10-fold increased likelihood of suffering an ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage and a 45-fold increased risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage. These striking figures should not cause undue concern as the absolute risk is still relatively small, but they do underscore the importance of proactive prenatal care and managing health risks early on,” says Chaitanya Medicherla, M.D., assistant professor of neurology, and one of the authors of the study.
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and migraines have been estimated to afflict more than one in five women across the world, with its prevalence estimated to peak as high as 25 percent during female reproductive years. Recent studies have even indicated that some women with migraines avoid pregnancy due to concerns about stroke and other complications.
“While all pregnant women benefit from robust prenatal care, this study emphasizes the need for more vigilant monitoring and management of modifiable risk factors in those with a migraine history, particularly blood pressure, smoking, and familial stroke, as well as blood clotting histories to identify patients at higher risk,” says Dr. Medicherla.
“For everyone, whether in the medical field or not, I recommend learning the acronym ‘BE-FAST’ (Balance, Eyesight, Facial droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) to help identify stroke symptoms quickly. For clinicians, it is also crucial to take a thorough history when assessing stroke risk, focusing on lifestyle factors like diet and exercise,” he says. “Preventing stroke through these primary care measures can make a significant difference in both maternal and fetal health.”
