Are People With Migraine Having More Strokes & Heart Attacks?
Key Questions
- Which conditions or diseases are classified as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular?
- What are the common misconceptions about migraine disease in comparison to conditions like stroke and heart disease?
- Are people with migraine at a higher risk of stroke?
- Does having migraine with aura increase the risk of stroke?
- What is the connection between migraine and heart disease?
- What is the significance of white matter hyperintensities or brain lesions in people with migraine?
- What is migrainous infarction, and why is it important for patients with prolonged aura symptoms to seek immediate medical attention?
- What is a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and how might corrective surgery impact migraine severity or frequency?
- Should people with migraine consider investigating potential underlying cardiac conditions?
- Is there a link between blood pressure and migraine?
- What risk factors are shared by migraine and cardiovascular disease, and how can individuals reduce their risk?
- How is artificial intelligence (AI) being utilized in research to explore associations between migraine, strokes, and heart conditions?
Interview Notes
- Research at Mayo Clinic
- Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Chia-Chun Chiang, MD
- American Migraine Foundation
- American Headache Society
- Book: Handbook of Clinical Neurology: Chapter 27
- Study: “Migraine with visual aura and the risk of stroke – a narrative review”
- Study: “Structural and functional brain changes in migraine”
- Study: “White matter hyperintensity in different migraine subtypes”
- Study: “Association of migraine and ischemic heart disease: A review”
- Study: “Association of migraine with patent foramen ovale closure: A systematic review and meta-analysis”
- Study: “Neurovascular contributions to migraine: Moving beyond vasodilation”
Treatments Mentioned
- Estrogen-containing contraceptives
- Exercise
- Diet
- Monitor vascular risk factors (e.g., blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol)
- Progesterone-only contraceptives
- Quit smoking
Please note: The Migraine World Summit’s aim is to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, independent of bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan.

Chia-Chun Chiang, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology; Headache & Stroke Specialist
Mayo Clinic, Minnesota

For a limited time get up to 21% OFF all the 2025 interviews, videos, audio, transcripts, and more. Why upgrade?
- Can’t attend live? Watch anytime
- Prefer reading or listening? Get transcripts and audio
- Want to dive deeper? Explore the additional footage & resources
- Need ongoing support? Reference expert advice year-round
- Lifetime access to 2025, no annual fee
- Act now, early-bird offer ends March 19th!
Related Talks for: Day 2 (2025)
Part I: Preventing & Reversing Chronic Migraine
Richard B. Lipton, MD
How Heavy Metals & Trace Elements Affect Migraine
Robert Bonakdar, MD
Global Guidelines for Acute Migraine Treatment
Simona Sacco, MD
The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of research and awareness surrounding migraine, a disabling condition that impacts more than 37 million men, women and children in the United States. The AMF was founded in 2010 to provide global access to information and resources for individuals with migraine as well as their family and friends.
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We’ve been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Noticing new symptoms? Struggling with Chronic Migraine? Looking for hope? Try these Learning Tracks to more to get the most out of your Summit experience.