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Cardiac cephalalgia presented with a thunderclap headache and an isolated exertional headache: report of 2 cases

Pei-Yu Cheng1, Hiu-Ngar Sy, Wei-Liang Chen

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.

Acta Neurologica Taiwanica
|August 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Headache can signal a heart attack or angina. Recognizing cardiac cephalalgia, or headache from myocardial ischemia, is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Headache is a common symptom with diverse causes.
  • Myocardial ischemia, often associated with chest pain, can present atypically.

Observation:

  • Two cases of cardiac cephalalgia (headache due to myocardial ischemia) are presented.
  • One patient experienced thunderclap headache, the other exertional angina-triggered headaches.
  • Cardiac cephalalgia presentations are variable, but typically severe.

Findings:

  • Headache can be the sole presenting symptom of myocardial infarction or angina.
  • Myocardial ischemia should be considered in patients with severe headaches, especially those with cardiovascular risk factors.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider cardiac causes in patients with unexplained severe headaches.
  • Early recognition of cardiac cephalalgia can lead to prompt diagnosis of potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions.

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