Related Experiment Videos
A possible relationship between migraine and coronary artery spasm
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Migraine patients experiencing chest pain may have coronary artery spasm, a vasospastic disorder. Ergotamine use is contraindicated, and calcium channel blockers can effectively treat these symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Migraine headaches are common, particularly in women.
- Ischemic chest pain can have various causes, including coronary artery spasm.
Observation:
- Five women in their 50s with a history of migraine presented with ischemic chest pain.
- Four patients experienced angina at rest with electrocardiographic changes.
- Three patients had myocardial infarction, one after ergotamine tartrate use.
Findings:
- Coronary angiography revealed no atherosclerotic disease, suggesting vasospasm as the cause of ischemia.
- Chest pain in migraineurs may indicate coronary artery spasm, linked to a generalized vasospastic disorder.
- Ergot preparations can exacerbate chest pain and lead to myocardial infarction in these patients.
Implications:
- Concurrent electrocardiograms are recommended for migraine patients with chest pain to investigate potential coronary artery spasm.
- Calcium channel blockers are an effective treatment for chest pain related to coronary artery spasm in migraineurs.
- Contraindicating ergot preparations in patients with migraine and chest pain is crucial to prevent adverse cardiac events.