There are numerous myths surrounding different diseases. Although there is no factual accuracy behind these myths but people still believe in them. A popular myth says that a bad headache in situations of serious migraine attack often leads to stroke.
The origin
The myth originated in 1945 after the death of President Franklin Roosevelt. The president complained of a terrible headache, following which he had a massive heart attack that brought an end to his life.
The reaction
The reaction to the sudden death of the president was enormous and for some time people started believing that there was surely a deep set relationship between migraine and stroke. Without delving deep into the roots of this medical condition, the myth was born as a result of Roosevelt’s death started dominating the minds of people. People who had headaches concluded that it was nothing other than migraine, and it would definitely make them fall prey to stroke and kill them. But, some medical findings and scientific views objected to this myth. They investigated the health conditions of President Roosevelt prior to his death, and other important conditions and factors that make a person vulnerable to stroke.
The facts
President Roosevelt already suffered from complications arising from permanently raised blood pressure level a few years before his stroke. He was diagnosed with hypertension in the year 1937, five years before he died. He also suffered from other medical conditions like bronchitis, congestive heart failure and was paralytic due to polio. He reported that his blood pressure level often fluctuated. On some occasions, it even rose to as high as 260/150. Thus, it was probably hypertension and a sudden raise in the blood pressure level that resulted in the tremendous headache which ultimately killed Roosevelt. There is probably no connection between migraine and stroke as far as the president’s death is concerned.
What do the experts say?
Experts say that President Roosevelt had a migraine attack along with headache. But that fails to establish any direct or indirect connection between migraine and stroke or death. Experts also remark that all headaches cannot be categorized under the broad heading of ‘migraine’. There are other factors too that cause headaches. One of the common factors is when a person is detected with hypertension he or she might occasionally suffer from headache. This is specially true when there is a sudden change in blood pressure level due to the patient’s lack of knowledge of his condition.
It is astounding that the blood pressure reading of President Roosevelt, that showed 260/150, is hardly found in the modern generation among patients of hypertension. Moreover, the invention of modern medicines and treatments for hypertension and regimented adherence to the same keeps a check on the steep rise in blood pressure levels. The president was also suffering from several other health complications when he died. So, these health complications should be held equally responsible for his stroke without focusing only on the migraine.
Quick tips
1. Those who are suffering from hypertension or any other health complications must religiously follow the prescribed medication and treatment.
2. If you have an occasional headache, do not ignore it by simply considering it to be a migraine attack. You might very well suffer from hypertension or fluctuation in blood pressure levels.
3. Keep a blood pressure monitor at home and check your blood pressure reading every time you have a headache. This will help you reach out for immediate medication whenever necessary.
4. The fact that you don’t have a history of hypertension does not mean that the disease will not rear its head later in your life. Therefore, never neglect a headache. Get your health checkups done regularly to trace out if you suffer from any and every health complications. Do not delay in starting medication if you really don’t wish to suffer from headaches and live with the threat of stroke.
5. Do not be panic and never think that if you suffer from migraines or headaches once in a while you will surely suffer a stroke one day.
