Stroke is America's third leading cause of death. It is also a major cause of disability which usually strikes a person later in life.

According to a new study some migraines may increase a young woman's odds of having a stroke. The study published online in the journal "Stroke" comes from experts including Leah MacClellan, MSPH, and Steven Kittner, MD, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

The women in the study group were in their mid to late 30s. Their average age range were between 15-49. It was found that the stroke survivors were 50% more likely to report having a history of migraines with visual aura in the year or years before their stroke. Compared to the women who had not had a stroke previously.

People with migrane with visual aura have symptoms like ever seeing spots, lines, or flashing lights during a migraine. Migraines without visual aura were not linked to increased stroke risk.

It was established that women who reported a history of migraine with visual aura were those who smoked and took oral contraceptives. They were seven times more likely to have a stroke.

These young women with probable migraine with visual aura symptoms can reduce their risk of stroke by stopping smoking. They can also further reduce their chances of suffering a stroke by finding alternatives estrogen containing contraceptives.

The term "probable migraine" were used because the women's migraines were not necessarily diagnosed by a doctor.

The researchers factored in many stroke risks into their study. But they did not factor in the data on the women's cholesterol levels, alcohol use, physical activity, and medications.

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