Risk factors

Risk factors for cluster headaches include:

• Sex. Men are more likely to have cluster headaches.
• Age. Most people who develop cluster headaches are between ages 20 and 50, although the condition can develop at any age.
• Smoking. Many people who get cluster headache attacks are smokers. However, quitting smoking usually has no effect on the headaches.
• Alcohol use. If you have cluster headaches, drinking alcohol during a cluster period may increase your risk of an attack.
• A family history. Having a parent or sibling who has had cluster headache might increase your risk.