The Health Risks of Having Migraines While You Are Pregnant

There are many added health risks to being pregnant.  Here we look at the association of migraines during pregnancy and the increased risk to you and your babys health.

Experiencing migraines while pregnant has been linked to an increase in the chance of having a stroke, according to a study in the United States. It found that you were fifteen times more likely to have a stroke compared to woman who were not pregnant.

More than thirty three thousand women, who were pregnant and suffering from migraines, were used to provide the information.

Other factors involved were age. Women over forty were found to be more at risk, being 2.5 times more likely to experience a migraine while pregnant than those that were less than 20. It was also discovered that white women experienced more migraines whilst pregnant than other races or ethnicities.

It is beleived that the cardiovascular system is not operating correctly and that the migraine is simply a sympton of this.  There are links with migraines and increased risks of high cholesterol, blood clots, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The conductors of the study found the most likely reason for the results was the connection between physical changes in the body, such as an increase in the amount of blood and faster heart rate, which puts an added strain on the vascular system.

Past research has indicated that the cells that form the inner wall of blood vessels (endothelial cells), may not operate as well in people who suffer from migraines during pregnancy.

The study further links migraines with an increase in the risk of stroke and heart disease, particularly when accompanied with a visual distortion or an aura.

Other articles you might like;

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google