Impact of physical activity, leisure screen time and hypertension on the risk of migraine
Feb
Migraine is a multifactorial condition and each patient is unique. This paper provides some clinical insight into the relationship between lifestyle factors, hypertension and migraine headache…
Migraine is a common neurological condition that is the second leading cause of disability worldwide and the leading cause among young women. Previous observational studies have shown that unhealthy lifestyles may be associated with the development of migraine, although the findings of these studies are somewhat inconsistent.
Modifiable behaviors that have been shown to be associated with migraine include: physical inactivity, sleep and affective disorders, alcohol consumption, caffeine and smoking.
Previous studies have shown that headaches are more prevalent among individuals with hypertension and that blood pressure fluctuations along with metabolic and energy supply imbalances may influence the pathogenesis of migraine. Nevertheless, other studies have reported inconsistent findings, reporting that there is a negative correlation between headache occurrence and hypertension. Migraine has also been shown to be associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and an imbalance of lipid metabolism.
Since a person’s lifestyle is related to the body’s metabolic processes, the authors of this study hypothesized that lifestyle factors may influence physiological markers like blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, and vitamin levels, which affect migraine risk. This Mendelian Randomization (MR) study aimed to explain the biological mechanisms and provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of migraine.
From Dr. Thistle:
Migraine headaches are common and often challenging for both patients and clinicians. In my experience, each patient is unique. Interestingly, we are still delineating much of our clinical knowledge about this type of primary headache, including the identification of related clinical factors we can focus on to best help these patients. The results of this study are not surprising in many ways but can guide us in clinical practice. Physical activity is good, too much leisure screen time is bad for migraineurs. Genetic susceptibility to hypertension is a mediating factor – also not surprising! Physical activity might be obvious, but leisure screen time perhaps less so. My interpretation is that LST likely correlates with sedentary behaviors, something we are always on the lookout for in our efforts to improve the health of our patients. Mendelian Randomization methodology provides us a new tool to evaluate these relationships. It is always reassuring to have evidence that supports the lifestyle recommendations and interventions that we provide for our patients! This is a great reminder of the importance of these factors for migraine patients.
This week’s Research Review: “Impact of Physical Activity & Leisure Screen Time on Migraine Mediated by Hypertension”
This paper was published in the Journal of Headache and Pain (2024)
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