New research suggests that Millennials and Gen Z individuals may be at a higher risk of stroke if they suffer from frequent migraines. A recent study, which focused on Colorado health insurance data from 2012 to 2019, included 2,600 individuals who had experienced a stroke and over 7,800 individuals who had not.
The study revealed that unfamiliar risk factors, such as migraines, blood clotting disorders, kidney failure, and autoimmune diseases, were linked to the likelihood of stroke in individuals under 45 years old. Migraines were identified as the most significant risk factor for stroke in individuals under 35, accounting for 20% of strokes in men and nearly 35% in women.
Migraine is a neurological condition characterized by severe headaches, affecting at least 40 million people in the United States. With over 795,000 Americans experiencing a stroke each year, the findings of this study are particularly important. Dr. Michelle Leppert, lead author of the study and assistant professor of neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of considering both traditional and non-traditional risk factors in diagnosing strokes in young people.
While traditional risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use, obesity