AF causing head pain??

[Emmarandall24]

Hi everyone, my father has been suffering from extreme head pain, lightheadness, spells of blacking out, paleness, nausea and other symptoms. He has had two MRIs on his head which the neurologist keep referring him back to the cardiology team as they keep saying it’s fine. They have done a myocardial infusion test which came back normal, however they wouldn’t allow him to do the treadmill test as they said his blood pressure was so high he’d have a heart attack. He has been suggested for tilt table test which hopefully comes soon. He has also got AF which cardiologists said he doesn’t need medication for yet other people have questioned them that he needs to be. Just wondered if anyone has any head pain that could be related to the heart or if it is any other possible reasonings as this is the main issue of concern. Thank you!!

[BenHall1]

Hiya Emma,

My personal experience is that high blood pressure and ultimately AF are very much linked. These two features will impact on a patients head and how that patient feels. Bear with me, this might be a bit of a long post.

In 2007, when I was age 63 I was first put on Simvastation ( raised Cholesterol ) and Ramipril for raised blood pressure…… all went well until January 2010 when I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF. I was hospitalised for 6 days and the Cardiac Consultant then reviewed all my medication and stayed with Simvastatin and Ramipril … he also added to the medication mix …. Warfarin ( an anticoagulant aimed at controlling a stroke risk ) and Bisoprolol to maintain a regular and steady heart rate. During this time in hospital I was also given an Echocardiogram – to have a look at the condition of the heart and how it is working. Since I have got older my GP has arranged for one of these every two years. (I’m 80 in Sept 2024 ). One of the key indicators arising from an Echocardiogram is a feature known as the EF ( Ejection Fraction ) which is important for assessing how well blood is being moved around the heart. In other words, how efficient the heart is performing/pumping. The higher the value, say 68% the better, the lower the value, say 30% the more vital it is for a patient to get properly and thoroughly assessed by a Cardiac Consultant. Mine kicked off at 65% and now is down to 56% … mainly due to my increasing age than anything more sinister. Probably even less than that nowadays.

If your Dad has not been treated in this way ( or something similar ) he has not been receiving standard medical practice ….. BEST PRACTICE EVEN. The way I’ve been treated is the bare minimum that one could expect.

The demon in this mix is the high BP, then AF along with appropriate medication to control it. I have now been prescribed several drugs to control the high BP, Ramipril (10mg) , Felodopine 2.5mgand more recently Sotalol (80mg) - this is quite a powerful drug as it is a beta blocker and will control both heart rate and it has properties to control blood pressure. Mine currently is around 129/78 with a Heart rate of 72 bpm. Has your Dad been prescribed medication ? Has he had an Echocardiogram ? Is his AF full on all day every day or just every now and then ? Does it kick off after food or alcohol ? I found that food acted as trigger for my AF and so I consulted a Nutritionist for diet as well as taking my medication. I am not free of AF or heart related issues but ( considering my age ) it is now highly controlled. It chucked a wobbly in March/April 2024 and prior to that 4 years earlier. But I have been blessed with receiving excellent health care at GP level and Consultant level.

As I say, this has been my personal experience only, but I hope it gives you some clues. AF is a mongrel thing, all things to all people. Hopefully others who read your post will also give you their experiences. Based on what you have said in your post I think your Dads healthcare team have missed some important steps. I think at the very least your Dad needs a second opinion. I think there is a section on the AFA website which gives names of Consultants - ( near where you live ) someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Without knowing your Dads age or BP I would think that his BP needs alot of attention for starters. If he is overweight, then that needs to come down too. I would recommend ( if you can afford it ) paying out of your own family finances ( don't rely on NHS - not the state its in these days ) for a second opinion from a new Consultant. I did this following my king hit in March/ April 2024 that I mentioned.

May the force be with you both.

John

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Be cautious.

I never had headaches except when sinusitis struck years and years ago.

At 2am in Sept 2019 I awoke with a splitting head. toileted and so tired went back to bed! At 5.30am didnt make toilet, showered and looked in mirror. A Stroke.

Hospital and diagnosed with Stroke and AF rapid & persistent. 4 days the carotid arteries scan showed a shadow on my thyroid. Biopsy yes, papillary cancer. Feb 2020 thyroidectomy & 12 lymph nodes removed 2 were affected.

Any Heart Rate higher than 100 could give one a headache. So could constipation. 2 Brazil nuts a day if he can munch them.

Is he sweating? That's due to rapid heart rate. BP too high Bisoprolol to lower Systolic and Diastolic Rates.

I'm on CCB Diltiazem for rapid heart rate. It wears down by late afternoon to allow my low H/Rate at Night 47avg to take over.

There is the plus that Diliazem acts like an anti-arrhymic med. Diltiazem is not allowed for lower chamber structural danage or function.

In 2 hours at introduction my heart rate went from 156 on Bisoprolol as well to 51 within 2 hours.

So AM I take Diltiazem 120 CD for H/Rate control

PM Bisoprolol 2.5 for BP control

the regime for the last 2.1/2 years so it gives me..

60s H/Rate Day and allows 47avg my normal low H/Rate Night

BP 110-135. /. 69-79

Great for me.

I take PRADAXA 110mg x twice a day.

My Thyroxine - Synthroid 50s = 125mg Daily early morning no b/f 1 hour

Check B12

Check Magnesium

Check Potassium

Check Iron

Check all thyroid tests Thyroglubin serum, Thyroglubin antibodies. TSH,T3, T4.

THe fact that he has AF (thyroid problems) and headaches he needs his Pituitary Gland checked too. Another endocrine gland.

See how you go.

Headaches are a symptom and needs tests. Even for brain tumour. Fainting is a symptom.

Otherwise take him privately.

Cross fingers the solution is exposed to help.

cherio jOY. 75. (NZ)

[wilsond]

Absolutely agree with Ben Halls excellent response.Ridiculous situation.

Second opinion is necessary. Find an Electrophysiologist if you can,and definitely pay for initial private consultation if you can,will be seen within weeks.

Who is supposed to be looking after his high blood pressure? They need a kick up the... if need be,as it doesn't seem its being attended to. AF and high BP not a good combination.

I wish you and your dad every success in getting appropriate care!

[Emmarandall24 in reply to wilsond]

Thank you ever so much for your lovely words and for replying, I really appreciate that!! I know it’s crazy we’ve had to change doctors twice because the old surgery said there’s nothing wrong and that they thought it was just anxiety and shoved him on a load of depression pills. We keep trying at this new surgery for help but again useless as anything. The nurse there is the one that’s done the tests and said it’s high and the results are going back to the doctor which she says is fine! Wish they’d all come together and look at the results so there wasn’t any mixed opinions. Thank you for your help❤️

[Buffafly]

When I have a bad episode of AF I get a headache, light headedness and nausea. Has your father had a heart monitor? It could be that his HR is spiking. You don’t say whether he has AF constantly or on and off - Permanent and Paroxysmal are the medical terms. If PAF some people have blackouts when they go from AF to normal sinus rhythm.

I’m sure this very worrying for you both and I hope you get answers soon ❤️‍🩹

[Emmarandall24 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you so much for your kind words and your reply I really appreciate it! He’s had an ecg before and all they said was he’s got an irregular heart beat. He also done this test where he put his fingers on this pad which identified he has AF but nothing else was said. When he had the MRI scan on his head 2 years ago they mentioned something about thickening of the sinuses or something, then 2 years later they said it was fine there was just increased white matter whatever that means? But we’ve got an oximeter at home and his oxygen levels are always low even when sitting there and you can see his heart going all over the place. His pulse is particularly high when moving.

[Buffafly in reply to Emmarandall24]

The low oxygen levels would give him a headache I think and maybe account for other symptoms as well. How low?

I do agree that I wouldn’t be satisfied with the treatment (or lack of) he’s been given. It may just be that things haven’t been properly explained but it’s difficult to trust doctors who don’t keep you in the picture. A private cardiology appointment with a different cardiologist should help you understand.

Best wishes x