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Migraine patients have lower systolic but higher diastolic blood pressure compared with controls in a

L S Gudmundsson1, G Thorgeirsson, N Sigfusson

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|March 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study found no direct link between hypertension and migraine. However, women with higher diastolic blood pressure had increased migraine risk, while both sexes with higher systolic pressure and pulse pressure showed decreased migraine probability.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Conflicting evidence exists regarding the association between hypertension and migraine.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for public health and clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between blood pressure (BP) parameters and migraine in a large population-based cohort.
  • To clarify the relationship between hypertension and migraine, considering sex differences.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based longitudinal study involving 10,366 men and 11,171 women.
  • Migraine diagnosis utilized a modified version of the 1988 International Headache Society criteria.
  • Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the associations.

Main Results:

  • No significant overall association was found between hypertension and migraine.
  • Increased diastolic BP correlated with higher migraine probability in women (30%, P < 0.0001).
  • Increased systolic BP and pulse pressure correlated with decreased migraine probability in both men and women (19-25% and 13-14%, respectively).
  • Migraineurs exhibited lower pulse pressure, lower systolic BP, and higher diastolic BP compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • The relationship between blood pressure and migraine is complex and sex-dependent.
  • Higher diastolic BP may be a risk factor for migraine in women, while lower systolic and pulse pressures are associated with migraine in both sexes.

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