Abstract 4145153: Heartfelt Headaches: Exploring Cardiac Cephalgia as an Etiology of Headaches

Introduction: Cardiac cephalgia is an under-recognized type of headache. Description of Case: A 68-year-old female with past medical history of chronic headaches presents with one week of non-radiating central chest pain, exertional dyspnea, palpitations, lightheadedness, and worsening headaches. The headaches were described as a “stabbing and throbbing” pain starting at the vertex and radiating anteriorly. Triggers included stress, and associated symptoms included photophobia and nausea. An electrocardiogram was notable for new T-wave inversions in the inferior leads. An echocardiogram demonstrated an ejection fraction of 44% with regional akinesis of the inferior and inferolateral walls. Patient proceeded for left heart catheterization, which depicted total occlusion of the middle segment of the right coronary artery; a stent was successfully placed and dual antiplatelet therapy was initiated. Following stent placement, she endorsed resolution of her chronic headaches and has not had recurrence. Discussion: This case presents a patient with chronic headaches, initially diagnosed as migraines and occipital neuralgia. She had previously been treated with triptans and botulinum toxin without effect. Resolution of her headaches following revascularization suggest that cardiac cephalgia may be the underlying etiology. Cardiac cephalgia is a secondary headache disorder that is related to cardiac ischemia. It has classically been described as a headache that is triggered by exertion or stress and alleviated by rest or nitrates. Pathophysiology is incompletely understood but current theories include referred pain, simultaneous constriction of cerebral and coronary vessels, reduced cardiac output resulting in increased cardiac pressures and therefore decreased venous return from the brain, and cardiac ischemia-induced neurotransmitter release leading to cerebral vasodilation. The diagnosis of this condition is supported by a temporal relationship between coronary ischemia and headache onset. Interestingly, this patient had a headache onset several months before exhibiting signs of coronary ischemia but had an acute worsening at the time of presentation. It is important to keep cardiac cephalgia on the differential for patients with headaches in order to prevent treatment with agents, such as triptans and ergot derivatives, that are contraindicated in coronary artery disease.