Arrhythmia & Migraine

[wolves123]

I am trying to find out if there is a direct link between migraine with aura and arrythmia. From the age of 13, I started suffering from migraine. My vision would become blurred, I would see a line of jagged light when I closed my eyes. I would then get numbness to my lips, tounge and hands usually with a sore neck and then, once that all cleared, I would have the headache. No pills or potions made any difference; my only solution was to sleep it off hoping that the pain would be less when I awoke than when I went to sleep.
The vast majority of the attacks happened either during or soon after vigorous physical exercise. It got to the point that I would only get about 2 migraines a year but I was always concerned whenever I played any sport that I would get an attack.
In my early 20's, I found that I sometimes got palpitations when playing soccer. My chest would pound but I never had any pain and didn't think anything of it. To me, it was a measure of my fitness. The fitter I became, the less it happened. But in Aug 2007, it happened again but this time the palpitations lasted all night and into the next morning. I went to A&E where I was diagnosed with AVRT or WPW syndrome.
I have since undergone 2 catheter ablation operations to remove the faulty pathway in my heart and following both procedures, I suffered multiple migraines. There is much interest at the moment about a link between migraine and a hole in the heart. What I want to know is if a migraine with aura could be an indication of any fault in the heart and the likely hood that by treating that fault, the migraines might stop.  

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I do not know of any link to migraine and arrhythmia.  I can think of many possible indirect links -- arrhythmias are more common during stressful times, fatigue, sleep deprived etc.  I do not know of any direct link.

[LukeL]

I think you mean a PFO and a link between migraines.

[suzieq321]

I'm not sure of the correlation of the two, but I do suffer from migraines with aura and I do have arrhythmias.  I definitely have noticed that sometimes when I get tachy I do tend to have a migraine w/ aura.  I think I do agree with Dr. McWilliams though that maybe an indirect link of say stress or being hurried brings it on.  When I read the post, I was surprised because I have given thought to the same question.  I am going to make an effort to keep track of how often and when the two happen together, because I do get both alot and take Imitrex (a miracle drug for me, but has some side effects) for the migraines and a statin for heart rate.  I do get both together frequently so I am going to check into this more.

[wolves123]

After my first ablation, which I was told was unsuccessful, I suffered 5 full blown migraines on the bounce and the headache pain was agony, probably the worst I have ever experienced. Prior to this, I averaged about 2 a year.
After the second ablation, which I was told was successful, I suffered 4 of the aura symptoms but NO HEADACHE! I am no expert by any means but how can this be explained. Surely it suggests a potential link between the faulty pathway in my heart and my migraines. I tried to volunteer for a migraine study that was advertised but I was told that I didn't suffer them regularly enough. Does it not then suggest that migraine with aura COULD be evidence of a heart condition?

[wolves123]

Played soccer today. Felt heart flutters again and bingo..... another migraine! Just the aura with no headache. Think I will need 3rd op because I think WPW has returned as the damaged cells have repaired.

[gunyah]

A related discussion, migraine with aura and leaky heart valves. was started.