Research suggests that common medications taken by up to 10 million Americans to alleviate anxiety and high blood pressure may reduce the risk of stroke in certain individuals at a heightened risk.
Propranolol, a medication falling under the category of "beta blockers" which mitigates the impact of adrenaline, lowered the risk of stroke by up to 50 percent for women who suffer from persistent migraines.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University examined a vast collection of over three million medical records and discovered that although the drug had a discernible impact on females, it had no conclusive effect on males suffering from migraines.
Researchers believe migraines trigger spasms in the brain's blood vessels, which can eventually cut off blood supply to the brain, thereby elevating the probability of blood clots and strokes.
It is believed that propranolol inhibits the dilation of blood vessels and induces spasms.
The findings therefore imply that using propranolol, which costs less than one dollar per pill, to treat migraine in women may decrease their risk of stroke.
Every 40 seconds, approximately 160,000 people die as a result of a stroke.
Dr. Mulubrhan Mogos, lead study author and assistant professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, said: 'Migraine is frequently overlooked as a risk factor for cardiovascular problems. Up until now, preventive treatments for individuals with migraines were not readily available.'
We're discussing that many women experience migraines. It's also worth noting that propranolol may be an effective option for these women, especially considering the numerous individuals affected by migraines.
Approximately 28 million adult women in the U.S.A. - one out of every six women - are believed to experience regular migraines.
Propranolol is a beta-blocker, a kind of medication usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeats.
It has been demonstrated to halt the consequences of anxiety, such as trembling hands and a quivering voice, which is why medical professionals also prescribe it for performance anxiety.
It functions by relaxing blood vessels and slowing the heart rate, thereby enhancing blood flow and reducing blood pressure.
This facilitates the flow of blood to the brain, thereby preventing blood clots and strokes.
In the new study, which will be presented at the upcoming International Stroke Conference next week, researchers reviewed 3 million electronic health records spanning 15 years from two large databases.
The study comprised individuals with migraine, consisting of men and women, who were categorized into two groups: those who experienced a stroke following their initial migraine and those who did not have a stroke experience.
The team then examined the effects of treating patients with propranolol for migraines.
Research indicated that the use of propranolol reduced the likelihood of ischemic stroke among women who have migraine by 52 percent in one study and by 39 percent in another.
The medication showed an absence of impact for male subjects.
There are several types of stroke, but the most common is an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood clot obstructs an artery in the brain, blocking blood flow and depriving brain cells of oxygen, leading to cell death.
The researchers pointed out that it's entirely possible there's no correlation in men because migraine has been more closely linked with a stroke in women than in men, but the exact reason for this disparity remains unknown.
Women are between two to four times more likely than men to experience migraines. A 2023 study discovered that 43 percent of women and 18 percent of men have had at least one migraine.
The researchers said that propranolol's low cost, approximately $10 to $20 for a month's supply, could provide a more accessible solution for treating migraines and, in the long term, strokes.
Dr. Mogos stated: "Our research findings suggest that women and healthcare providers should discuss the benefits of preventive migraine preventive treatments."
For individuals with limited resources who disproportionately suffer from this condition and may not have access to cutting-edge treatments, it is essential that these treatments are made available to them. This strategy can help alleviate health inequalities.
Given the notable increase in the past few years of people, particularly the younger population, experiencing strokes, the study's results may hold considerable importance.
There has been a total rise of around eight percent in stroke occurrences, along with a 15 percent spike in individuals falling within the age group of 18 to 44 years old.
Although propranolol can naturally help prevent strokes, other widely used medications, such as blood thinnners, anti-psychotics, and opioids, have been found in recent research to potentially heighten the risk of stroke.
Anti-psychotic medications, such as clozapine and haloperidol, taken by approximately 3.8 million US adults, have been proven to induce weight gain. This weight gain can subsequently lead to increased blood pressure and the constriction of arteries, thereby elevating the risk of stroke.
- impair the blood's ability to clot. However, blood that is too thin can lead to hemorrhages in the brain, a different form of stroke.
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