In this thesis, the role of migraine as a cardiovascular risk factor is investigated in different populations with a varying medical history, including stroke and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).... Show moreIn this thesis, the role of migraine as a cardiovascular risk factor is investigated in different populations with a varying medical history, including stroke and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We focused primarily on women and sex-specific features, exploring both conventional and novel measures for vascular health. This thesis was written in the context of the CREW consortium. The aim of the CREW consortium, a cooperation of major medical centers in the Netherlands and commissioned by the Dutch Heart Institute, was to study female-specific cardiovascular pathophysiology. The CREW-MIST (Cardiovascular Riskprofile in Women – MIcrovascular STatus) project, which was part of this consortium, focused on migraine in relation to stroke in women. Female-specific factors such as sex hormone- and pregnancy-related disorders were included in our studies and we explored microvascular health through heart- and brain imaging and functional measurements of the vasculature. Show less
