Management of migraine in patients with cardiovascular diseases

    Authors

    Keywords

    migraine, cardiovascular disease, multidisciplinary care

    DOI

    https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2025.307

    Full Text

    Migraines present a particular challenge in patients with cardiovascular diseases due to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and the limited options for safe medications. Nurses play a vital role in assessing risk factors, educating patients, and supporting safe medication use. Epidemiological studies show that migraine, especially migraine with aura, increases cardiovascular risks (1, 2). Nurses should be aware that some migraine medications like triptans may not be safe for patients with cardiovascular disease (3). Newer preventive treatments such as CGRP receptor antagonists offer safer alternatives. Nurses should focus on teaching patients about lifestyle changes that reduce overall cardiovascular risk, including healthy diet, physical activity, stress management, and smoking cessation (4). Ensuring adherence to prescribed migraine therapy and monitoring for side effects are essential nursing responsibilities. A multidisciplinary team approach involving neurology, cardiology, and primary care, supported by nurse-led patient education and monitoring, is critical for optimizing care and reducing complications.

    Literature

    1. Al-Hassany L. MaassenVanDenBrink A, Kurth T. Cardiovascular Risk Scores and Migraine Status. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 October 1;7(10):e2440577. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.40577
    2. Wang K, Mao Y, Lu M, Ding Y, Li Z, Li Y, et al. Association between migraine and cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 November 24;9:1044465. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.1044465
    3. Peles I, Shneyour RS, Levanon E, Steen YM, Abu Salameh I, Gordon M, et al. Cardiovascular risk and triptan usage among patients with migraine. Headache. 2025 July-August;65(7):1095–106. https://doi.org/10.1111/head.14968
    4. NurseTogether. Headache & migraine: nursing diagnoses, care plans and interventions [Internet]. 2025 Jan 10 [cited 2025 Oct 17]. https://www.nursetogether.com/headache-migraine-nursing-diagnosis-care-plan/
    Cardiologia Croatica
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    Management of migraine in patients with cardiovascular diseases

    Extended Abstract
    Issue11-12
    Published
    Pages307
    PDF via DOIhttps://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2025.307
    migraine
    cardiovascular disease
    multidisciplinary care

    Authors

    Marina Radolović*ORCIDThalassotherapia Opatija, Opatija, Croatia
    Romina TončinićThalassotherapia Opatija, Opatija, Croatia
    Maja PištelekORCIDThalassotherapia Opatija, Opatija, Croatia
    Marica Komosar-CvetkovićORCIDThalassotherapia Opatija, Opatija, Croatia
    Irena Kužet-MiokovićORCIDThalassotherapia Opatija, Opatija, Croatia

    *Correspondence email: radolovic.marina@gmail.com

    Full Text

    Migraines present a particular challenge in patients with cardiovascular diseases due to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and the limited options for safe medications. Nurses play a vital role in assessing risk factors, educating patients, and supporting safe medication use. Epidemiological studies show that migraine, especially migraine with aura, increases cardiovascular risks (1, 2). Nurses should be aware that some migraine medications like triptans may not be safe for patients with cardiovascular disease (3). Newer preventive treatments such as CGRP receptor antagonists offer safer alternatives. Nurses should focus on teaching patients about lifestyle changes that reduce overall cardiovascular risk, including healthy diet, physical activity, stress management, and smoking cessation (4). Ensuring adherence to prescribed migraine therapy and monitoring for side effects are essential nursing responsibilities. A multidisciplinary team approach involving neurology, cardiology, and primary care, supported by nurse-led patient education and monitoring, is critical for optimizing care and reducing complications.

    Literature

    1. 1.
      Al-Hassany L. MaassenVanDenBrink A, Kurth T. Cardiovascular Risk Scores and Migraine Status. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 October 1;7(10):e2440577.DOI
    2. 2.
      Wang K, Mao Y, Lu M, Ding Y, Li Z, Li Y, et al. Association between migraine and cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 November 24;9:1044465.DOI
    3. 3.
      Peles I, Shneyour RS, Levanon E, Steen YM, Abu Salameh I, Gordon M, et al. Cardiovascular risk and triptan usage among patients with migraine. Headache. 2025 July-August;65(7):1095–106.DOI
    4. 4.
      NurseTogether. Headache & migraine: nursing diagnoses, care plans and interventions [Internet]. 2025 Jan 10 [cited 2025 Oct 17].Link