Women who suffer visual disturbances along with their migraines may be at an increased risk of suffering heart problems, a new study has found.

Migraine generally features a one-sided throbbing headache, which can last hours or even days. An estimated half a million people in Ireland are affected.

Migraine with aura refers to a range of neurological disturbances that occur before the headaches begin. These disturbances, which can last up to an hour, are usually visual, such as blind spots and flashing lights, but can also include things like pins and needles, confusion and slurring of speech.

US scientists followed the progress of more than 27,000 women over a period of 15 years. Almost 1,500 of these had migraine with aura.

According to study author, Dr Tobias Kurth of the American Academy of Neurology, after high blood pressure, ‘migraine with aura was the second strongest single contributor to risk of heart attacks and strokes'.

"It came ahead of diabetes, current smoking, obesity and family history of early heart disease," he explained.

However, he emphasised that while the risk is increased for people who suffer from migraines with aura, this does not mean they will definitely develop heart problems.

He advised those affected to improve their heart health in the same way as anyone else, for example, by maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Edward O' Sullivan of the Cork Headache Migraine Clinic, described them as ‘important' for migraine sufferers.

"They highlight the need to have a healthy lifestyle such as avoidance of smoking, regular exercise and health checkups for the monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar and weight," he said.

Details of these findings are due to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in March.

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