Researchers have made a connection between those who experience an aura -- flashes of light, dizziness and temporary loss of vision -- before a migraine and heart disease. Both heart disease and the aura brought on by a migraine headache occur as a result of increased levels of homocysteine. Of the 28 million Americans who suffer from migraines, one-third reported vision abnormalities preceding the onslaught of a migraine headache.

When the researchers tested the homocysteine levels of migraine sufferers, they found that the people who see auras had elevated homocysteine levels, while the people who suffered migraines without auras did not have elevated homocysteine levels. What this translates into is that migraine sufferers who experience auras are at double the risk of stroke or heart attack when compared to migraine sufferers who do not see auras.

The researchers hope that additional studies might be able to provide treatment for migraine headaches that lower the heart disease risk.

According to the Mayo Clinic, while there is no cure for a migraine headache or migraine pain, dramatic advances have been made in migraine management, and if you have not seen a physician lately for your migraines, they suggest going in to find out about the new treatments available. Three times more women than men suffer from migraines and the disabling pain, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound associated with migraines.

The Mayo Clinic has created an educational resource for migraine headache sufferers that includes sections covering signs and symptoms; causes; risk factors; screening and diagnosis; complications; treatment; prevention; self-care; coping skills and complementary and alternative medicine therapies.