Correlation between heart disease and migraines?

About 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with a condition that caused my heart to beat twice as fast than what is normal.  At the time, the doctor said I had two conductors.  Then, 8 years ago, I had stroke like symptoms.  After many tests, it was determined that I have intermittent Left Bundle Branch Block, Patent Foreamen Ovale, cardiomyopathy and Basilar Artery Migraine with Aura without Pain.

Is it possible that all the heart stuff is related to the migraine?  Heart disease and a history of migraines runs in the family.... Oh boy.

Anybody out there with the same problems?  Just wondering.

[bzmed]

I have migraines, a heart valve issue and coronary artery disease.  I do believe they are related although doctors say they are not.  I also had ocular migraines for about eight years before they found the CAD and as soon as I received stents in my LAD they went away.  There is another thread here on the site about ocular migraines as well.  You may want to search for that one.

[Tracy0713]

Thank you so much for responding.  Although many doctors don't think there is a correlation between heart disease and migraine, my initial neurologist believed there was a connection.  As a matter of fact, he asked me to investigate the possibility when he released me to go home from the hospital.  Eight years later, I am still searching and still asking questions!  Of course, much of the time, the patients must educate the doctors ... and this is probably one of the cases.

I am glad to hear that your migraines have cleared up -- and hope that your stent has helped in other ways as well.

While searching this site, I discovered the migraine thread, and posted the same question there.  So far, I have not received a response.

Strange, but it is comforting to know that there are actually others who know what I am going through, and understand what I am talking about.  

Thank you for responding -- and I hope that you are having a good day today.

[va_tony]

I've noticed a connection as well. Ever since I was a teenager, I would have aural migraines (no headache) at least once a month. A few years ago when I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation I was placed on an antiarrhthmic med, which worked well at the time.  Several months later I realized I also wasn't having my migraines anymore either.  So the med gave me a positive side-effect.  I recall googling to see if there might be a connection.  My conclusion was that there was. Conditions like tachycardia and migraines are often caused because ion-channels ()like the calcium are not functioning properly.  In my case, a calcium channel blocker seemed to help both conditions.  I've read where migraine sufferers are also prescribed beta blockers, which of course, are also prescribed to those with tachy.

[ireneo]

I've never had a migraine but they are vascular aren't they? And that's all part of the circulatory system. I'm surprised there hasn't been a study done by someone yet.

[va_tony]

I'm sure there has already been a lot of work connecting the two.  I just googled and found many hits for "arrhythmias and migraine".  For example

Perera GA.
Paroxysmal arrhythmias and migraine.
JAMA. 1971 Jan 18;215(3):488.

and

"Severe vascular events in migraine patients"
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/482671_3

and

Migraine Headache and Atrial Fibrillation
Ashfaq Shuaib Resident , Gary Klein Staff Neurologist , and Richard Dear Staff Internist *Clinical Neurosciences
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain
Volume 27 Issue 5 Page 252-253, May 1987

and

"An association between migraine and cardiac arrhythmias has been observed. In Havanka- Kanniainen et al.'s (1988) series of 188 patients"

http://books.google.com/books?id=cBpjnQE1Fb8C&pg=PA296&lpg=PA296&dq=association+between+arrhythmias+and+migraine&source=web&ots=III8O3PniM&sig=qTA69Ubm_KDpa7tBq1wAZsJnoig

[Tracy0713]

Wow -- there is more info about this correlation than I realized.  Thanks for the links.  It is interesting that there is so much related to Atrial Fib -- my mother in law battles with atrial fibs and getting the dosage just right with her medications.  Thankfully, I don't suffer with atrial fibrillation.  The decreased pumping function in my heart muscle makes my heart beat faster, but it's just periodically.  It was recommended that I take an ace inhibitor, but unfortunately the doctors in my town refuse to acknowledge this treatment.  I medicate myself with Hawthorn and Magnesium supplements, which seem to work well for now.  What the future holds, well, we shall see ...... Glad to hear your Atrial Fibs and migraine are under control.

[LifesAHeadache]

You may want to check out the MIST II study website.  If you google MIST II you'll get their website.  It gives a very good understanding of AT LEAST - of PFO causing migraine.  They are closing PFO's for relief of migraine in certain people.

I have been unable to work with panic attacks and migraines for three years - not am having severe chest pain and a DVT in my leg this past week.  Chest is pressing hard now and have a migraine.  Just my two cents.

[Tracy0713]

I am sorry to hear that you aren't doing well -- and hope that by the time you read this message that you are feeling better.  Migraines can be exhausting -- with or without the pain.

Have not had a chance to check out the MIST II study website, but intend to!

Thank you for your input, and for providing the information to the study website.  I was diagnosed with a PFO 8 years ago.  Interesting.

Again, I hope that you are better today ....

[dontmesswithjess]

I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy when I was 1 years old. I had (still have) an enlarged septum, a heart murmur, and something with one of my valves. I was put on medication and monitered and all of that good stuff. I started getting migraines probably when I was 13 or 14. Also, when I was 13, I had open heart surgery. But I've been on a couple different medications for my migraines and after a while they start to not work. I never really thought about there possibly being a connection until recently and now I'm very curious.