Question:

I am a 52 year old women who recently had an MRI without contrast; the results as follows: Several periventricular and subcortical foci of white matter hyperintensity seen on T2-weighted and FLAIR images are nonspecific, however most likely represent chronic small vessel ischemic disease.

my neurolgist is treating me for migraine headaches. I also take medicne for high bloodpressure. I constanly have a headace and tell both my primary internal medicne and neurolgy physiscian. Currenly my blood pressure is under control with the medication.

Does the result of the MRI mean I am on my way to have a stroke? The neurologist told me the resuls indicated I have migraine headaches?

Answer:

The MRI findings of white matter changes is extremely common especially in patients with a history of hypertension like you. These white matter changes do not predict a stroke in the future. However, it is important that your hypertension remains controlled. In addition to this, any other risk factor for stroke must be controlled. This include diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, overweight, and lack of exercise. This is especially true if your migraine is associated with aura (usually visual changes that precedes the headache).

For more information:

Go to the Stroke health topic.