Impaired aortic elastic properties in young females with migraine

Migraine is a common health problem affecting women more commonly. It has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events. In this study, we investigated whether aortic elastic properties is altered in migraineurs with low cardiovascular risk compared with healthy controls, in order to elicit further evidence on tentative association between migraine and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Forty-three migraine patients with low CVD risk were enrolled to the study. Thirty-three volunteers, with a similar age and sex distribution served as a control group. Following parameters of the aortic elasticity were calculated: aortic strain, aortic stiffness (beta) index and aortic distensibility.

Aortic strain was not statistically different between the study and control group. However, aortic distensibility and beta index were significantly impaired in patients with migraine compared to control subjects

The elastic properties of the aorta in migreineurs may be different from normal by using easily available echocardiographic methods. This information may be a clue for clarification of cardiovascular system involvement in migraine.