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[Migraine and acute myocardial infarction]
1Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid.
Insights
Migraine may be a risk factor for coronary disease. This study found migraine more frequent in acute myocardial infarction patients, suggesting a link between certain migraine types and heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The link between migraine and heart disease, specifically coronary disease, remains unclear.
- Some research suggests specific headaches may indicate myocardial ischemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between migraine history and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- To explore cephalic responses during angina and to vasodilators in AMI patients with and without migraine history.
Main Methods:
- A protocol was applied to 40 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients.
- Data collected included migraine history, headache during angina, and response to vasodilators.
- Results were compared to a control group.
Main Results:
- Migraine was more prevalent in acute myocardial infarction patients (25%) compared to controls (18.5%).
- Migraine onset was later and episodes more frequent in the AMI group.
- No specific ischemic headache was identified, and nitrite response was independent of migraine history.
Conclusions:
- Certain forms of migraine may be a risk factor for coronary disease.
- Further epidemiological studies are needed to understand the natural history of migraine in relation to cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
The relationship between migraine and cardiopathy has not been sufficiently established and controversy exists concerning its favoring role in coronary disease. Likewise, specific cephalea ("bregmatic") has been proposed as a manifestation of myocardial ischemia. With the aim of investigating this topic a protocol which collected the history and morphology of previous migraine, cephalea during the angina episode and cephalic response to vasodilators to 40 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admitted to the Coronary Unit of the Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid was applied. The results were compared with a control group. Migraine was more frequent in patients with AMI (25%) than in the control group (18.5%). Likewise, the beginning was later and the rhythm of the episodes greater. No specific cephalea was identified. The pain response to the nitrites did not depend on migraine history. The data suggests that determined forms of migraine may represent a risk factor of coronary disease. Epidemiologic studies are required to better know the natural history of the migraine.