Following is a news release based on an article published in the September issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). The AAN is an association of more than 14,500 neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For a copy of the full article or for more information, contact Sarah Parsons or Rona Stewart at 612-695-1940 or by e-mail at [email protected].
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1997
Headaches During Exercise May Be Sign of Heart Disease
ST. PAUL, MN (September 22, 1997) Headaches that begin during exercise and go away with rest may be a sign of heart disease, according to a report in the September issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
People with these ìcardiac headachesî may not experience other signs of heart disease, according to neurologist Richard Lipton, MD, co-director of the Headache Unit at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. ìIn cardiac headache, pain in the head occurs instead of pain in the chest,î Lipton said. He stressed that most headaches associated with exercise are benign.
ìWe think this condition is pretty rare, but we also donÃt know how often the diagnosis is missed,î Lipton said. ìMost physicians and the public are unaware of the possible link between exercise headaches and heart disease.î
ìThe public should know that headaches brought on by exertion can have serious causes, and that anyone experiencing them should consult their doctor,î he said. ìAnd doctors should be aware that exertional headaches require careful diagnostic evaluation. Recognizing cardiac headache creates an opportunity to treat heart disease and prevent heart attacks.î
Distinguishing cardiac headache from migraine is crucial, Lipton said, because many treatments for migraine could worsen the condition of a cardiac headache sufferer by constricting the coronary arteries.
Cardiac headache is recognized by its relationship to exercise; like angina (chest pain due to heart disease), it begins during exercise and is relieved by rest. Cardiac headache should be suspected in patients whose headaches began after age 50 and in those with risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or family history of heart disease, Lipton said.
In the article, Lipton and neurologist Lawrence Newman, MD, director of the Headache Unit at Montefiore Medical Center, summarized the findings from two patients they treated and five cases they identified through a search of medical literature.
In each case, the headaches went away after the patientÃs heart disease was treated. Treatments ranged from nitroglycerin and other medicines for heart disease to angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery.
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