Researchers analyzed 60 studies involving genetic data to understand what causes migraines. They discovered that migraines may increase the risk of serious conditions like heart disease and stroke, while certain lifestyle habits, foods, and body changes may increase migraine risk. This study used a special genetic method that helps prove cause-and-effect relationships rather than just finding connections. The findings suggest migraines are connected to many different body systems, not just the brain, and that different types of migraines may have different causes.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Scientists wanted to figure out what actually causes migraines and what health problems migraines might cause, using genetic information to prove cause-and-effect relationships.
- Who participated: The review combined data from 60 different studies that looked at genetic information from hundreds of thousands of people. The studies examined two main types of migraines: migraines with visual disturbances (aura) and migraines without them.
- Key finding: Migraines appear to cause or increase risk for six serious diseases including heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. At the same time, certain habits like smoking, not exercising, drinking alcohol, and being overweight appear to increase migraine risk.
- What it means for you: If you have migraines, this research suggests paying attention to lifestyle factors like exercise, weight, and alcohol use might help. It also highlights why people with migraines should monitor their heart and blood vessel health. However, this is genetic research showing connections, not proof that changing these factors will definitely prevent migraines.
The Research Details
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis, which means scientists searched through thousands of published studies and combined the results from the best ones. They looked specifically at studies using a method called Mendelian randomization, which uses genetic information to figure out what actually causes what. Instead of just noticing that two things happen together, this method uses genes as a tool to prove cause-and-effect relationships. The researchers searched seven major scientific databases through July 2024, carefully selected studies that met strict quality standards, and then combined the results using statistical methods to find patterns across all the studies.
Regular studies can show that two things are connected, but they can’t always prove one causes the other. For example, if people with migraines also tend to be overweight, it’s hard to know if the weight causes migraines, migraines cause weight gain, or if something else causes both. The genetic method used here is powerful because genes are randomly inherited and don’t change during life, making it much easier to prove cause-and-effect relationships. This approach helps scientists move beyond just finding connections to understanding real causes.
This study combined results from 60 high-quality studies involving 331 separate genetic analyses, which is a large amount of evidence. The researchers followed strict guidelines for how to conduct and report this type of research. They had two independent reviewers check which studies should be included, reducing the chance of bias. The studies examined both types of migraines separately, which helps show that different migraine types may have different causes. However, most studies came from European populations, so results might not apply equally to all ethnic groups.
What the Results Show
The research found that having migraines appears to increase the risk of six serious diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, torn blood vessels in the neck, blood clots in veins, heart disease, chest pain (angina), and large artery stroke. This suggests that migraine sufferers should be aware of these potential risks and work with doctors to monitor their health. On the flip side, the study identified multiple factors that appear to increase migraine risk. These include behavioral factors like smoking during pregnancy, not getting enough physical activity, and delaying sexual activity. Dietary factors included drinking alcohol, and physiological factors included being overweight, having high vitamin D levels, and having elevated inflammation markers in the blood. The research also found that certain gut bacteria appear to protect against migraines or increase risk, suggesting the digestive system plays a role in migraine development.
When researchers looked at the two types of migraines separately, they found some differences. Migraines with aura (visual disturbances) and migraines without aura appeared to have somewhat different causal relationships with diseases and risk factors. This suggests that these two types of migraines, while similar in symptoms, may develop through different biological pathways. The study also identified specific gut bacteria that appear to influence migraine risk, opening up new possibilities for treatment through dietary changes or probiotics.
Previous research has suggested connections between migraines and heart disease, stroke, and other conditions, but this study provides stronger evidence that these are cause-and-effect relationships rather than just coincidences. Earlier studies have also noted that lifestyle factors like exercise and weight affect migraines, and this research confirms those connections using genetic evidence. The finding about gut bacteria is relatively newer and adds to growing evidence that digestive health influences brain conditions. This study builds on and strengthens what scientists already suspected about migraines.
The study primarily included people of European ancestry, so the findings may not apply equally to other ethnic groups who might have different genetic variations. The research shows genetic associations, which are strong evidence of cause-and-effect, but doesn’t explain exactly how these factors cause migraines. Some of the studies included were smaller or had different quality levels. The research identifies connections but doesn’t prove that changing these factors will definitely prevent or treat migraines in individual people. More research is needed to understand the specific biological mechanisms and to test whether interventions based on these findings actually work.
The Bottom Line
If you have migraines, consider discussing with your doctor: maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and monitoring your heart and blood vessel health. These lifestyle changes have good evidence supporting them for general health and may help with migraines. People with migraines should also be aware of the increased risk for heart disease and stroke, and work with healthcare providers to manage other risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. The evidence for these recommendations is moderate to strong based on genetic research, though individual results will vary.
People who experience migraines should pay attention to these findings, especially those with a family history of migraines or heart disease. Healthcare providers treating migraine patients should consider discussing cardiovascular health monitoring. People interested in preventing migraines through lifestyle changes should find this research encouraging. However, this research is primarily for understanding causes, not for diagnosing or treating individual cases. People without migraines don’t need to change their behavior based on this study.
If you make lifestyle changes like increasing exercise or losing weight, you might notice improvements in migraine frequency or severity within 4-12 weeks, though this varies greatly between individuals. The protective effects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle typically build over months and years. If you’re concerned about heart disease or stroke risk related to migraines, these are long-term health considerations that should be monitored over years with your healthcare provider.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track migraine frequency and severity weekly, along with lifestyle factors: exercise minutes per week, alcohol consumption, body weight, and sleep quality. This allows users to identify personal patterns between lifestyle and migraine occurrence.
- Set a goal to increase physical activity by 30 minutes per week and reduce alcohol consumption. Use the app to log exercise sessions and track how these changes correlate with migraine patterns over 8-12 weeks.
- Create a monthly dashboard showing trends in migraine frequency compared to lifestyle metrics. Set reminders for health check-ups to monitor cardiovascular health. Track gut health through dietary notes and any probiotic use, correlating these with migraine patterns.
This research provides genetic evidence about factors associated with migraines but does not diagnose, treat, or cure migraine disorders. The findings show associations and potential cause-and-effect relationships based on genetic studies, not clinical treatment outcomes. Individual results vary greatly, and genetic risk does not guarantee you will develop migraines or related conditions. If you experience migraines, consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and personalized treatment. If you have concerns about heart disease or stroke risk, discuss cardiovascular screening with your doctor. Do not make significant lifestyle or medical changes based solely on this research without consulting your healthcare provider.