Medical experts suggest that people who experience severe migraine should take statin, a drug that originally lowers cholesterol levels.
Statin is known to prevent cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory conditions.
Researchers say that migraine is an inflammation caused by a change in the brain stem when it is affected by the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal system releases neuropeptides which travel to the meninges or the outer covering of the brain. This results to migraine.
Migraine affects one in every 15 men and one in every five women. There is one specific type of migraine that involves patients experiencing warning signs such as seeing aura or flashing lights or feeling some kind of tingling before being ridden with migraine.
In an editorial featured in the British Journal of General Practice, researchers say that about 30 percent of patients experience migraine with aura. These patients have been linked to higher risks for heart diseases or stroke. This is why researchers want to know how prescription of statin with lower dosage could possibly help patients who are suffering from migraine.
Dr. David Kernick from the St. Thomas Health Centre in Exeter, United Kingdom suggests that anyone who is experiencing severe migraine should be considered for statins, even younger patients. However, there are still concerns about the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering drug.
Kernick also said that a practical approach should be undertaken in estimating the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease in migraine sufferers or migraineurs.
"My suggestion is that, as a basis for discussion with the patient, the 10-year risk is multiplied by 2.5 for female and 1.5 for male migraineurs with aura," he said.
However, GPs and patients are concerned regarding the over-prescription of statins and some believe that the side effects include increased risk for diabetes and muscle pain.
British Heart Foundation medical director Professor Peter Weissberg said that they would need more evidence from case-controlled studies or randomized clinical trials before prescribing statins for patients. This is to make sure that doing so would reduce heart attacks and strokes.
He explained that statins are indeed beneficial in preventing heart attacks and strokes, but the underlying processes for consistent migraine sufferers might be different from the rest of the population.
Experts say that the statin recommendations will only be given to those who experience migraine with aura. Still, they believe that the decision to use statins will be on the hands of the patient and their GPs.
Photo: Lisa Brewster | Flickr
