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Hypertension in headache patients? A clinical study

U Pietrini1, M De Luca, G De Santis

  • 1Headache Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. u.pietrini@libero.it

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|September 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension is common in headache patients, especially those with chronic tension-type headache or medication-overuse headache. This finding suggests hypertension should be screened for in headache patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Headache disorders are prevalent globally.
  • Hypertension is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
  • The relationship between hypertension and various headache types requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hypertension among patients presenting to a Headache Center.
  • To compare hypertension rates across different headache diagnoses.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 1486 consecutive outpatients at a Headache Center.
  • Blood pressure was measured for all participants.

Main Results:

  • Overall hypertension prevalence was 28%, significantly higher than in the general population.
  • Hypertension was most prevalent in medication-overuse headache (60.6%) and chronic tension-type headache (55.3%).
  • Hypertension was less common in migraine without aura (23%) and migraine with aura (16.9%).

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension is frequently observed in headache patients, particularly those with chronic tension-type headache and medication-overuse headache.
  • Hypertension may contribute to headache exacerbation and has therapeutic implications.
  • Active screening for hypertension in headache patients is recommended.
Abstract

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