3 weeks Ago By Eliza Loukou
A CONDITION affecting 10 million Brits has been detected as a new risk factor for strokes in young people. Strokes - where blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted - are often made more likely by conditions like high blood pressure , but scientists said people under 50 might be affected by different risk factors. 1 People under 50 who suffer from migraines might have an increased risk of stroke Credit: Getty A new study found that adults younger than 50 were more than twice as likely to have a stroke if they suffered from migraines , compared to commonly-known risk factors such as high blood pressure.
Previous research shows that increasing numbers of adults between the ages of 18 and 49 are suffering from ischaemic strokes, caused by blood clots interrupting blood flow to the brain. In many of these cases, the adults in question won't have traditional stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes - meaning these strokes won't have a known cause. Lead author Jukka Putaala, head of the stroke unit at the Neurocenter, Helsinki University Hospital, said: “Up to half of all ischaemic strokes in younger adults are of unknown causes, and they are more common in women.
Read more on stroke BRAIN SHIELD The 17 ways to slash risk of stroke, depression and dementia all at once 'GOLD STANDARD' Two common drugs 'slash risk of dying from heart attack and stroke' "For effective prevention, careful and routine assessment of both traditional and nontraditional risk factors in younger people is critical. "We should also carefully screen people after they have a stroke to prevent future strokes.” The study - published in the journal Stroke - analysed data for more than 1,000 adults aged 18-49 in Europe, who had an average age of 41.
Half of the participants had experienced a cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (strokes without a known cause), while half had no history of stroke. Most read in Health SLIM WINNER Obese dad sheds 22st after supermarket collapse left him fearing for life ROBO-SURGEONS 11 robot surgery machines approved to perform organ removal in the NHS MUM'S AGONY My boy, 7, went for a routine eye test - months later he died of hidden illness HEALTH CHECK From being fussy to difficulty sleeping - early signs of autism in your child Researchers looked into 12 traditional risk factors, 10 less common risk factors and five risk factors specific to women, such as gestational diabetes or pregnancy complications. They also reviewed participants with a heart defect called patent foramen ovale (PFO) , a hole between the heart's upper chambers.
‘I nearly died after double stroke and thought I was in heaven' Perhaps as many as 20 per cent of the general population have a PFO and it's usually harmless - but it can increase the odds of stroke and has been linked to migraines. The study aimed to determine which risk factors contribute the most to unexplained strokes. Men and women without a PFO were more likely to suffer a stroke if they have traditional risk factor conditions.
But study participants who had a PFO were more likely to suffer a stroke if they had non-traditional risk factors, such as blood clots in the veins, migraines with aura, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease or cancer. In those without a PFO, each additional traditional risk factor increased stroke risk by 41 per cent, while each non-traditional risk factor increased stroke risk by 70 per cent. Women suffering from pregnancy complications were also had a 70 per cent increased risk of stroke.
Among participants with a PFO, each traditional risk factor increased the risk of stroke by 18 per cent. But researchers found that their risk of stroke more than doubled if they had uncommon risk factors. What are the symptoms of stroke? The FAST method – which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time – is the easiest way to remember the most common symptoms of stroke: F = Face drooping - if one side of a person's face is dropped or numb then ask them to smile, if it's uneven then you should seek help.
A = Arm weakness - if one arm is weak or numb then you should ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downwards then you might need to get help S = Speech difficulty - if a person's speech is slurred then this could be a sign of a stroke T = Time to call 999 - if a person has the signs above then you need to call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US for emergency care. Other symptoms include: sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body difficulty finding words sudden blurred vision or loss of sight sudden confusion, dizziness or unsteadiness a sudden and severe headache difficulty understanding what others are saying difficulty swallowing Dr Putaala said: “We were surprised by the role of non-traditional risk factors, especially migraine headaches, which seems to be one of the leading risk factors in the development of strokes in younger adults,” “Our results should inform the health professional community to develop a more tailored approach to risk factor assessment and management.
"We should be asking young women if they have a history of migraine headaches and about other nontraditional risk factors.” Tracy Madsen, chair of the Clinical Cardiology/Stroke Women’s Health Science Committee at the American Heart Association - who wasn't involved in the study, said: "We know that stroke risk changes based on sex and age. "For instance, recent data shows that younger women may have a higher risk of stroke than younger men.
"However, during middle age, men usually have a higher risk. "Recognising specific risks that affect women and those not commonly seen, such as migraine with aura and pregnancy complications as significant contributors to stroke risk in younger women, could change our approach to screening for these risks and educating our patients throughout their lives.” Read more on the Scottish Sun SPICE OF LIFE Scotland's best Indian restaurant crowned - see all the winners in your area JOBS BLOW Scots engineering firm 'goes bust as 48 jobs lost' Researchers noted that their study was observational, meaning it can't prove cause and effect between migraine and stroke.
The study also relied on patient to report risk factors, which may have impacted accuracy. The 9 signs an migraine is coming We all get headaches from time-to-time, but migraines can present a whole host of different issues. They are debilitating and affect around one in seven people, with some losing up to eight days a month due to the pain.
Dr Katy Munro, from the National Migraine Centre said there are nine ways you can predict their arrival. Throbbing A migraine often starts as a dull ache but can develop into a severe, throbbing pain, making daily activities difficult. Movement can worsen the pain.
Stiffness and pain The cervico-trigeminal nerve system activates, causing pain to travel to the neck and shoulders, leading to tightness and discomfort, which can trigger a migraine attack. Fatigue Fatigue is common before and after migraines, with people experiencing low energy and frequent yawning. Poor sleep, blood glucose fluctuations, and dehydration contribute.
Nausea and vomiting Migraines slow down the gut, causing nausea and vomiting. They also reduce the effectiveness of painkillers, and children may experience abdominal pain. Sensitivity A migraine causes a wave of electrical activity in the brain, leading to sensitivity to light, sound, touch, and smell.
Aura symptoms like visual disturbances or tingling may occur before the headache. Hormones Women are more likely to suffer migraines due to hormonal changes in oestrogen, which can worsen during periods, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Mood changes and brain fog Migraines often cause irritability, depression, and brain fog, which can impact work or school performance.
Dizziness Dizziness may accompany migraines, particularly with Vestibular migraines, where lightheadedness and unsteadiness occur without significant headache. Weakness Some experience temporary weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegic migraine), while others may have speech difficulties, which usually resolve within an hour. Migraines vary in severity, and while some may only occur once or twice, others can last for days, impacting daily life.
.
