Migraine could be key factor, study finds

• Strokes are serious vascular events that can sometimes result in death, and other times lead to varying levels of disability.
• Because of its severity, researchers want to continue identifying risk factors to help reduce stroke risk.
• A recent study highlighted the impact of nontraditional risk factors on stroke outcomes. It found that nontraditional risk factors — such as migraine and thrombophilia, a condition that predisposes a person to the formation of blood clots — played a crucial role in stroke risk, and contributed more to stroke risk in adults aged under 35 compared with traditional risk factors.

Stroke prevention is a crucial area of preventative health measures. Because of the dangers of strokes, people must know if they are at risk and what they may be able to do to modify their risk.

While younger individuals typically have a lower stroke risk, it is still important to note what risk factors affect younger populations, particularly as the consequences of a stroke can be lifelong.

A study recently published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes examined how nontraditional and traditional risk factors for stroke contributed to stroke in younger adults.

Researchers examined data from over 2,600 stroke cases and over 7,800 controls and examined how traditional and nontraditional risk factors contributed to stroke risk in adults aged 55 and younger.

The study found that nontraditional risk factors contributed to strokes most in adults under 35, and the risks from these nontraditional factors declined with age. These results highlight the importance of identifying nontraditional stroke risk factors, particularly among younger adults.