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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Cluster & the heart
        
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Jul 18^th, 2006, 11:38am)

Title: Cluster & the heart
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 18^th, 2006, 11:38am

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2006 Apr;10(2):142-6.

Cluster headache and the heart.

Loder E.

Headache Management Program, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 125 Nashua Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. eloder@partners.org

Cluster headache is a rare but debilitating recurrent headache disorder. It is most common in middle-aged and older men, a group with a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. This article reviews available information regarding the association of cluster headache and the heart in three selected areas: 1) the known effects of cluster headache on cardiovascular parameters such as heart rate and rhythm and blood pressure; 2) the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in subjects with cluster headache; and 3) the connection between patent foramen ovale and cluster headache. Some evidence suggests that cardiovascular risk factors, especially cigarette smoking, may be more common in cluster headache sufferers. There also is evidence that disturbances of autonomic function or certain structural cardiac anomalies may be more common in cluster headache sufferers. In addition, a number of important treatment options for cluster headache have effects on cardiovascular function that must be considered in planning therapy. The implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed.

PMID: 16539868

Title: Re: Cluster & the heart
Post by Charlotte on Jul 18^th, 2006, 1:43pm

We can hope they are planning a therapy, but this seems like more of the myths except for a phrase I don't understand patent foramen ovale.

I am not encouraged that they think it's smoking middle aged men. Sorry.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Cluster & the heart
Post by SophiaK on Jul 18^th, 2006, 3:40pm

I developed head pain in December, have not had one day without Head Pain 4 to 6 times a day. Interestingly, I also developed A Fib and irregular heartbeat this winter. I do wonder about the connection if there is one. Prior to December I did not have 'clusters'. They are calling it late onset. Saw my 3rd neurologist today. And so it goes. Oh, and I'm a 71 year old woman.

Title: Re: Cluster & the heart
Post by BarbaraD on Jul 18^th, 2006, 5:49pm

I'm with Charlotte on this one. I think someone is grabbing at staws. The only one I know who "might" fit into that is ClusterChuck and I'm not sure when he developed CH.

The meds may cause cardiac trouble (we know that), but it's a far stretch to say that the CH and cardiac trouble go hand in hand -- in men.

My 2 cents...

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Cluster & the heart
Post by JeffB on Jul 18^th, 2006, 7:02pm

The only concerns my Doc (not Nuero) had was giving me a scrip for imitrex. Said that stuff could damage valves. Nuero really didn't have a problem tho.

Title: Re: Cluster & the heart
Post by floridian on Jul 18^th, 2006, 8:31pm

on 07/18/06 at 11:38:51, Bob_Johnson wrote:

1) the known effects of cluster headache on cardiovascular parameters such as heart rate and rhythm and blood pressure;

Yeah, during a cycle, my heart rate and blood pressure are all over the place. I took a pre-employment physical a few years ago in mid-morning, having been hit about two hours earlier. Scared the crap out of the doctor - he thought I might keel over at any minute, but my back was healthy so I wasn't a workmans comp concern. :)

Quote:

2) the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in subjects with cluster headache;

Clusterheads tend to be smoke more and have higher blood pressure. Arrthymia is more common, as is autoimmune heart disease. I wouldn't be surprised to see other risk factors more common among clusterheads - insulin resistance, high cholesterol, etc. On one hand, it is a cart and horse thing - what is really causing what, or are they even related? But when someone presents themselves to a doctor with the symptoms of cluster headaches, it makes sense for the doc to investigate their cardiac conditon.

Quote:

3) the connection between patent foramen ovale and cluster headache.

About half of clusterheads have a small hole in their heart (patent foramen ovale) - this is about twice the rate in the general population. Definitely raises issues of blood circulation. Not THE cause, but maybe a contributing factor in some people. - PFO is usually harmless, but if too large, it causes blood to reverse circulate and oxygenation can be a problem.

Title: Re: Cluster & the heart
Post by mr.c on Jul 19^th, 2006, 10:16am

on 07/18/06 at 20:31:25, floridian wrote:

I have a friend that has also been diagnosed with CH. I believe she is chronic (I am episodic). She recently underwent a surgery to plug the hole in her heart. They are hopeful that it will stop the CHs.

This is obviously a new procedure, but this doctor, I'm not sure of his name, is supposedly a leader in the field. He also flew in another doctor (to Las Vegas, NV) to help with the operation.

Michael

Title: Re: Cluster & the heart
Post by Charlotte on Jul 19^th, 2006, 3:38pm

So the reverse circulation & oxygenation may be part of the problem? There seem to be a lot of factors, and I've often wondered how the cardiovascular system fitted in with ch. Since I also get migraine, I don't know if my vascular symptoms are coincidental. I didn't even know about the trigiminal nerve until I got here.

It sounds like pfo is a common problem. 1/4 the general population has it & 1/2 the cluster headache population has it?

Charlotte