Cardiac cephalalgia: case reports and review
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tungs' Taichung Metro Harbor Hospital, WuChi, Taichung, Taiwan. jaccwei@yahoo.com.tw
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|May 29, 2008
Summary
Headaches, particularly exertional headaches, can be the sole symptom of acute cardiac ischemia. Prompt diagnosis of cardiac cephalalgia is crucial, especially in patients with atherosclerosis risk factors, to prevent adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Diagnosing myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome can be challenging, particularly with atypical presentations in emergency departments.
- Atypical symptoms include shortness of breath, exertional dyspnea, toothache, abdominal pain, back pain, and throat pain.
Observation:
- Headache, especially exertional headache, as the sole presentation of acute cardiac ischemia is rare, with limited case reports.
- This study analyzed two patients with cardiac-related headaches and reviewed 32 similar cases from 1966 to the present.
Findings:
- Cardiac cephalalgia is generally benign but carries potential risks of mortality.
- Exertional headaches in patients with atherosclerosis risk factors warrant high suspicion for anginal headache.
Implications:
- Recognizing cardiac cephalalgia is vital for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention in emergency settings.
- Further investigation for coronary artery disease is recommended for patients presenting with exertional headaches and cardiovascular risk factors.
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