Headache

This morning at 1:30 am I went into A-Fib but did not respond to 250 mg of propafenone. Over the course of the day I took 700 mg and returned to nsr at 4:30 pm. It was my first daytime episode in three months. Over the past two weeks or so I had been hitting the chocolate on an almost daily basis. It is the only so-called trigger that I have not avoided.

I tried to go about my business during the day, but it was difficult. About midday I got one horrendous headache. It was pretty much centered around the base of my skull. My eyes also hurt even when I wasn't wearing glasses or reading. In the past I have noticed pain in the same location or tension in the back of my neck.

Has anyone else found that headache goes along with A-Fib, especially long episoeds? What causes it?

John S.

Got them everytime I went into AF, I think due to lack of oxygen, my brain cells were dying. But seriously, my wife who is a dietician, stated, it is more likely restricted blood vessels.

babb

Absolutely. I almost always get a headache (and stiff neck) at the base of the skull when I am in afib.

I wonder if it isn't another manifestation of Dr. John Sarno's "Tension Myositis Syndrome." In a nutshell: Tension tightens the muscles which then deprive the blood vessels and nerves of oxygen causing pain. Wonder if the same chain of events occurs with the BIG Muscle - the heart?

Chocolate is a known trigger for migraines and afib. Chocolate is rich in magnesium, so your craving for it may be an indication that your body is low in magnesium.

Carol

When I get pressure at the base of my skull around the back of my neck probably also from chocolate or too much of some dessert I find that drinking a lot of water or other fluids seems to flush it out. This rarely happens since I started running in place almost every day for about 5 to 10 minutes. Prior to starting the running routine, I could FEEL certain desserts in my bloodstream within about 1 minute of consuming them. I call it running but actually I barely left my feet, however this small amount of activity (while on Cartia by the way) keeps my blood pressure at very good levels quite often below 120/80.

Jackie here weighing in - no headaches.

Headaches are said to be result of a magnesium deficiency...as is muscle stiffness and tension....makes sense to me.

I never got a headache over the past five years when I was aware I had flutter or afib. I did have fatigue, s.o.b., liteheadedness, etc.

But fortunately, it has always been unusual for me to get a headache.

njb

John:
I don't know that I, for myself, could connect the headache with the afib attack, but I have always been amazed at how many people suffer afib and migraines, and not necessarily at the same time. I have, on a few occasions had a migraine after an afib episode, but I don't think I have ever had them at the same time.
I would have to agree with Jackie on the Mg connection.
Pam