A new study has linked migraines with an elevated risk of stroke in elderly populations. The study reports that elderly people who suffer with migraines are at almost double the risk for what are known as “silent strokes.”

“Silent strokes” are caused by hindered blood supply in the brain stemming from blood clots. They are typically not overtly symptomatic, though they do pose an injury threat to the brain.

That is not to say that those suffering from migraines should worry unnecessarily. An important distinction found in the study is that the increase in risk is associated with other vascular risk factors. Individuals who experience chronic migraines and also are at risk for vascular diseases are encouraged to incorporate lifestyle changes to help maintain vascular health as well as seek treatment for the occurrence of migraines.

The study used 550 participants, 100 of them with migraine histories and 450 without. Researchers used MRI scans to compare brain scans between the two groups. Even when controlling for vascular disease risks present in either group, those with histories of migraines were shown to experience double the number of “silent strokes.”

The increased rate of these strokes was no different if the migraine presented with visual symptoms (known as migraine auras) or without visual changes.

Researchers state that more testing in this area is needed. The current study was not meant to establish a causal link between migraines and stroke. Nor was it able to recreate a link between blood vessel abnormalities and migraines, as other studies have done. They are also unsure whether treatment of migraines will be enough to lower the risk of stroke.

What researchers do know is that the damage caused by strokes increases the risk of more strokes. Therefore, they recommend seeking treatment for migraines should they be unmanageable or occur with individuals otherwise at risk for stroke.