Migraine and cerebrovascular risk.

Migraine (in particular with aura) is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease; the relative risk of stroke in migraineurs is about twofold, and increases with the coexistence of female gender, cigarette smoking and old-preparation contraceptive use. The mechanisms of the increased risk are not completely understood, and the absolute risk of stroke is low; yet, migraineurs have to be advised on how to reduce the risk for primary prevention of stroke.