Migraine & Headache
Can Migraines Cause a Stroke?
Amarish Dave, DO explains the link between migraine with aura and stroke risk, why the absolute risk remains low, and which symptoms need emergency care.
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What Is a Migraine Headache?
Migraine is a neurological disorder—not simply a bad headache. A migraine attack can involve moderate to severe head pain along with other neurological symptoms. The pain is often throbbing or pulsating and may occur on one or both sides of the head.
Written and medically reviewed by Amarish Dave, DO, board-certified neurologist. This page is educational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation.
Common migraine symptoms
Migraine is more than head pain. Untreated migraine attacks commonly last approximately 4–72 hours, and symptoms can include:
- Throbbing or pulsating head pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Sensitivity to smells
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
What is migraine aura?
Approximately 25–30% of people with migraine experience aura. Aura can include visual symptoms such as flashing lights, bright spots, zigzag lines or blind spots. Some people experience tingling, numbness or speech and language symptoms.
Typical aura generally develops over several minutes and lasts 5–60 minutes. Migraine can also occur without aura, which is more common.
How is migraine diagnosed?
There is no single blood test or brain scan that diagnoses migraine. Diagnosis is generally based on the person’s symptoms, medical history and neurological examination during a migraine and headache evaluation. Imaging or other testing may sometimes be ordered when necessary to evaluate for other causes of headache.
When should a headache be evaluated urgently?
Seek urgent medical attention for concerning symptoms such as:
- A sudden severe or “worst headache of my life”
- New weakness or numbness
- New difficulty speaking
- New significant vision loss
- Confusion
- Seizure
- Fever with severe headache or stiff neck
- A major change from your usual headache pattern
Do not assume it is migraine
Do not assume new neurological symptoms are simply migraine. New, sudden or unusual neurological symptoms may require urgent medical evaluation.
Key takeaways
- Migraine is a neurological disorder—not simply a bad headache.
- Attacks often involve throbbing pain with nausea and sensitivity to light, sound or smells.
- Untreated attacks commonly last about 4–72 hours.
- About 25–30% of people with migraine experience aura; migraine without aura is more common.
- Diagnosis is based on symptoms, history and neurological examination—there is no single test.
- Sudden, severe or dramatically different headaches need urgent evaluation.
Continue learning about migraine and headache care
Learn more about migraine and headache evaluation, migraine, whether migraines can cause a stroke, what a cluster headache is, and our neurology services. Browse more answers in the Neurology Video Library.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a migraine feel like?
- A migraine attack usually involves moderate to severe head pain that is often throbbing or pulsating, on one or both sides of the head, along with nausea and sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Many people also feel dizzy, fatigued, or have difficulty concentrating.
- How long can a migraine last?
- Untreated migraine attacks commonly last approximately 4 to 72 hours. Attacks that last longer, or that occur many days per month, are a good reason to discuss treatment options with a neurologist.
- Can you have migraine without aura?
- Yes. Migraine without aura is actually more common. Only about 25–30% of people with migraine experience aura, so most migraine attacks occur without any warning visual or sensory symptoms.
- Can you have migraine without a headache?
- Yes. Some people experience migraine aura or other migraine symptoms—such as visual changes, nausea, or sensitivity to light—without significant head pain. A neurological evaluation can help clarify the diagnosis.
- What causes migraines?
- Migraine is a neurological disorder involving changes in brain signaling and sensory processing, often with a genetic tendency. Attacks can be influenced by triggers such as poor sleep, skipped meals, stress changes, hormones, and certain foods or drinks.
- When should I see a neurologist for migraines?
- Consider an evaluation when headaches occur several days a month, are becoming more frequent or severe, no longer respond to the medication that used to help, interfere with work or family life, or come with neurological symptoms such as aura, weakness, or numbness.
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