headache after pacemaker

[Rosie54105]

My mom, 84 years old, just got a pacemaker about a week ago and she occasionally gets what she describes as a headache or fullness on the top of her head. Has anyone else experienced this or have any ideas why this may be happening? Thanks.

[ed34]

I hope it helps, and good luck :)

[Rosie54105]

Thanks, Ed.  We'll look into that further with her doctor. Really appreciate it.

[Flycaster305]

Great find, Ed.  

[ed34]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1540-8159.1984.tb05620.x/abstract

[Rosie54105]

She is on several medications but they are all the same as the ones before the pacemaker.  But I'm not sure if the dose is different so I will check. Thank you for bringing that up.

[Flycaster305]

Has she recently had a medication change, either an increased dose or new medication prescribed?  Nitrates often are prescribed for angina, and they can certainly cause headaches.  Nitrates open the blood vessels and until the body gets used to them, can cause headaches like you are reporting.  

[Rosie54105]

it's pretty much under control with medication.  it's been anywhere from 116/70 to about 135/80 so nothing too terrible.

[ed34]

what's her blood pressure like?