Migraines with AF?

[Kinfusion]

I've read quite a bit on here about people getting migraines after ablation but I wonder if others get migraines associated with AF episodes? My husband is in a 'bad spell' at the moment with lots of episodes. Hopefully they will settle down again as they have done in the past and he's had some months free of them. Many of his recent episodes have been accompanied by migraines - sometimes an aura beforehand and before the AF episode, but at other times the migraine starts some time after the AF has started. At the moment he's only taking paracetamol - which comes into the 'chocolate teapot' category in terms of its effectiveness with migraine pain. He's planning a trip to the pharmacist or GP appointment soon to discuss migraine medications. I just wondered if others have any experience that might be helpful here? (Cardiology appointment coming up - we are hoping that after nearly three years trying to get on top of the AF with medications the time might be right to be put on a waiting list for ablation).

[BobD Volunteer]

The migraine aura resulting from the ablation process does not usually result in pain. We well understand the mechanics and it is not connected to "normal" migraine and usually fades after a week or two so doubfful there is a connection.

[Kinfusion in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob

[CDreamer]

There is an an associated link between migraines and Patent Foramen Ovale or a ‘hole in the heart’ which is small hole between the wall between left and right atrium. About 25% of people have a PFO which doesn’t close in infancy, as it should. Most people don’t know they have one, I was one such as it didn’t show up on any scans. I had ablation in 2013 and it was only then my PFO was found. It wasn’t considered dangerous in any way so it was not repaired but the astounding thing was that after a lifetime of suffering migraines with auras, I have never had another since the ablation, even though the PFO was not repaired.

During an ablation for AF a small hole is punctured through the septum to allow the catheter access to the right atria - hence the possible association between ablation and migraine auras during the healing process.

[Kinfusion in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for this. My husband had a cardiac MRI a couple of years ago so unlikely he has a hole in the heart. The migraines have only started in the past few months.

[Barny12]

I wonder if it's a blood pressure issue?

I would regularly get headaches with an afib episode right up until a year or two ago when I started taking a beta blocker - which as well as calming my heart down, had the side effect of pretty much stopping the headaches.

I'm fairly sure they're used to reduce hypertension as well as lower heart rate.

[Kinfusion in reply to Barny12]

Thanks Barry. He is on BP meds though it’s only slightly raised.

[Physalis]

Having had migraines with aura since I was about ten and other more serious episodes which I wouldn't wish upon anyone, mine stopped as soon as I started taking apixaban.

If he isn't taking it, maybe he could give it a try.

[Kinfusion]

Thanks for that suggestion. He is on Edoxaban so I don’t think that’s going to be a solution for him unfortunately.