[Headache: a rare manifestation of angina pectoris].
Typical angina pectoris rarely produces pain above the mandible. We report a patient with exertional headache, which was relieved by nitrates and revascularisation. The explanation is speculative; 1) anatomic convergence of cardiac nerve fibres and somatic efferents from the head; 2) increased intracranial pressure secondary to decreased cardiac output during ischaemia; and 3) unidentified headache eliciting mediators released by cardiac ischaemia. We conclude that headache may be a (the only) manifestation of myocardial ischaemia. The suspicion should arise, if the headache is exercise-induced and relieved by nitrates.
Petersen
Jens Aage Kølsen
JA
Viborg-Kjellerup Sygehus, medicinsk afdeling. jaakp@dadlnet.dk
Nielsen
Finn Erland
FE
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis