Today, another study has been released that further supports the notion that migraine and blood clots are closely linked. Glynn (2012) shares that the study observed a total of 145,304 females who were using contraceptives. 2,691 participants were affected by migraine with aura and 4,437 were affected by migraine without aura. During the study, 7.5% of the women who suffered from migraine with aura who were using a newer generation combined oral contraceptive developed a deep vein thrombosis. Only 6.3% of the women in the migraine without aura group developed a deep vein thrombosis.
More blood clot complications occurred in the migraine with aura group than in the migraine without aura group. For this reason, migraine with aura needs to be discussed with your doctor as a risk factor for blood clots. This is especially important for women using third generation contraceptives. (Yasmin, Ocella, and Yaz are examples of third generation combined oral contraceptives.)
This isn't the first study to link blood clots and migraine. Ferrara et al. (2012) found a relationship between migraine and elevated levels of Factor VIII and Factor IX. They also found that individuals with migraine were more likely to have either MTHFR or Factor V Leiden. In 2011, Kutal et al had almost identical results in a similar study. It seems safe to assume that there is a connection between migraine and thrombophilia.
Boyles (2008) points out, that we do not know for sure if thrombophilia is the link between migraines and blood clots. There could be another factor involved.
No matter what the link is between migraine and blood clots, patients need to make sure that doctors are aware of the blood clot risks associated with migraine, especially in those patients who have multiple blood clot risk factors.
More blood clot complications occurred in the migraine with aura group than in the migraine without aura group. For this reason, migraine with aura needs to be discussed with your doctor as a risk factor for blood clots. This is especially important for women using third generation contraceptives. (Yasmin, Ocella, and Yaz are examples of third generation combined oral contraceptives.)
This isn't the first study to link blood clots and migraine. Ferrara et al. (2012) found a relationship between migraine and elevated levels of Factor VIII and Factor IX. They also found that individuals with migraine were more likely to have either MTHFR or Factor V Leiden. In 2011, Kutal et al had almost identical results in a similar study. It seems safe to assume that there is a connection between migraine and thrombophilia.
Boyles (2008) points out, that we do not know for sure if thrombophilia is the link between migraines and blood clots. There could be another factor involved.
No matter what the link is between migraine and blood clots, patients need to make sure that doctors are aware of the blood clot risks associated with migraine, especially in those patients who have multiple blood clot risk factors.
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