Menopausal women who get migraines at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, study says

BOSTON – A new study published in Menopause says women who suffer from both migraines and common menopausal symptoms could be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Nearly 80% of menopausal women experience hot flashes and about 17% of women in their late reproductive years get migraines. But how does having both affect a woman’s overall health?

Researchers followed nearly 2,000 women for 30 years and found that those who suffered from chronic migraines, hot flashes, and night sweats were 1.5 times more likely to develop heart disease and 1.7 times more likely to have a stroke compared to women without the combination of symptoms. They said the study results emphasize the importance of considering female-specific factors when assessing cardiovascular risk in women.

In addition to getting regular health check-ups, women should try to get more sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet to mitigate the increased risk.

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.