Middle-aged folks who suffer migraine with an aura could be more likely to suffer a stroke, a new study says.
Overall, people who have migraine with an accompanying aura have a 73% increased risk of stroke, American Academy of Neurology researchers reported recently in the journal Neurology on May 20, 2026.
Contrary to this, patients suffering from migraine attacks without aura showed no link to stroke risk.
Aura refers to vision problems or other sensory problems before a migraine attack, as stated by the researchers in their background information.
An aura may consist of seeing various things, such as lights, blind spots, zigzag lines, or shimmering dots, reported the Mayo Clinic.
The researchers conducted their new study on 11,400 individuals aged 45 years and above. The participants were being monitored in a bigger stroke study.
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According to the researchers, 1,130 of those being studied experienced migraines. Of this number, 491 experienced migraine with an aura, while 639 had aura-free migraines.
According to the researchers, 3% of those without migraines suffered a stroke, while about 4 percent of those with migraines suffered one. 5% of individuals with migraines with an aura had strokes compared to 3% of those with aura-free migraines. When the researchers divided migraine patients into two groups, they found those who suffered auras had a 73% higher risk of stroke.
Researchers also found that men younger than 72 had a more than 3.5-fold increased risk of stroke from any type of migraine, with or without an aura. The experts noted that further studies are needed to understand these findings better.
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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.