Contrary to what was previously believed theory, scientists are surprised to have found no link between the onset of migraine with aura before 50 years of age and a risk of higher heart disease like ischemic stroke. However, the theory stands true for later onset of migraine with aura.

The analysis included 447 migraineurs with aura (MA) and 1,128 migraineurs without aura (MO) among 11,592 participants. Over 20 years, there was found to be twofold increase in the risk of ischemic stroke when the age of MA onset was 50 years or older. When compared with no headache. Also, MO was not associated with increased stroke risk regardless of age of onset.

Clinically the findings have been very meaningful as many individuals with a long history of migraine are concerned about their stroke risk, especially when they get older and when they have other cardiovascular diseases.