Women with a history of migraine headaches may suffer severe hot flashes during menopause, and this combo may boost their risk for heart disease, researchers say.
Migraine doesn’t cause more or worse hot flashes — or vice versa. But both are believed to be related to changes in blood vessels known as neurovascular dysregulation, according to Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
A hallmark of heart disease is changes in blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
“We believe that neurovascular dysregulation may explain the link between migraines and hot flashes, as well as the association of each with cardiovascular disease in women,” Faubion said.
Faubion led a study that examined migraine, menopause and heart disease. She was scheduled to present the findings Wednesday at the NAMS annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The study included more than 3,300 women (average age, 53), including 27% with a history of migraine.
