Migraines ceased after cardiac arrest successfully treated

Hi all,

My husband and I are both now retired doctors and both have heart conditions. In the past, my husband has suffered from very many years of frequently recurrent migraine which either didn't respond to preventive medication or the medication caused unacceptable side effects.

A few years ago (2018), my husband had an angiogram (has coronary artery disease and has subsequently had stents). Unfortunately the angiogram triggered a cardiac arrest, which was treated and he recovered. Since then, he has not had a single migraine. We can't explain it and neither can our GP or cardiologist.

Has anyone else had this occur?

Looking forward to hearing similar stories!!

[FraserB]

I have had migraines (with aura) and was diagnosed with atrial flutter/fibrillation two years ago. While my medical circumstances differ from your husband's, there may be some heart-related similarities, particularly involving the autonomic nervous system. His cardiac arrest and recovery (along with stent placement) may have "reset" the autonomic balance or disrupted the nerve irritation and blood vessel changes that trigger migraines. Even with recovery, cardiac arrest can cause long-term changes in autonomic function. This is one explanation I’m familiar with especially my experience with AF and migraine with aura, though there could be, of course, other factors involved.

[Hidden in reply to FraserB]

Thanks FraserB. We figured it must be some sort of autonomic nervous system reset but don't know enough physiology to follow through, and I haven't found any research on it yet. it would be fascinating to know any detail, to see if it could lead on to future developments in the treatment of migraine. In any case, it has been one massively positive thing to come out of his cardiac arrest/stenting. Hope your conditions are under control.

[Ageingfast]

very simple answer. Clopidogrel.

I had sixty years of persistent migraine and nothing would remove them. Then I take clopidogrel and hey presto, migraines perhaps three times a year. As soon as I stop Clopidogrel the migraines charge in. The migraines were at worst moderate and usually quite mild.

I think bright sunshine has often triggered them, so sunny Australia would be difficult for me.

And my AVR was very good, once the clopidogrel was restarted.

Sooty

[Hidden in reply to Ageingfast]

Fascinating. Yes, my husband started clopidogrel at that time. It may have somehow reset things. However, in his case, he has since stopped the clopidogrel yet the migraines haven't returned. Certainly a possibility, though. Thanks

[Ageingfast in reply to Hidden]

And thank you for your post which has helped me understand a little about autonomic issues.

Sooty

[Gundoglady]

I've had migraines most of my life, the daytime migraines were so bad, I'd have to sleep it off, medication did nothing , or I'd have a Migraine in my sleep, wake up in the morning and vomit. I've not had a migraine since having OHS 12 years ago

[Hidden in reply to Gundoglady]

Wow. Fascinating. At this rate, we'll be recommending heart surgery as a treatment for chronic migraine! But seriously, that would have been an enormous relief when they ceased. I'll be interested to see if others say the same. May be some research in this...

[Gundoglady in reply to Hidden]

Weirdly, two food intolerences that I had (couldn't eat pork or any seafood) have both also gone x

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

My experience is slightly different. I was diagnosed with vasospastic angina over 10 years ago.

I already had a history of Raynaud's Phenomenon.

I then started having neurological migraine like symptoms with my episodes of coronary vasospasms.

My Neurologist and Cardiologist suggest that I am experiencing vasospasms in my brain, coronary arteries and peripheral blood vessels.

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

That makes sense in view of what everyone is saying - this link between what is happening to the arteries in the brain and in the heart. Thanks

[Route38]

I have recently had a stent in my LAD and am taking the usual bucket of medication. I was suffering from (what i thought were) cervicogenic headaches, often leading to migraine for several years. However, since I've been on the meds I have not had one, and the associated symptoms have all but disappeared. I attributed this to the bisoprolol beta blockers. Beta blockers like propranolol are often prescribed to prevent migraine.

[Hidden in reply to Route38]

Yes, I might have thought this too - and is likely in your case - but my husband had used beta blockers as well as all the other medications he was on in relation to his heart previously in attempts to stop the migraines. Thanks for responding

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Yes I have I had migraines with aura for years as much as one a week sometimes I was lucky to go 6 weeks that was rare if I did yet when I had my heart attacks and was put on all the meds and then I had a triple Bypass I have not had any since

I often wonder if one of the medications I take have worked on my migraines

I am not complaining though

Take Care x

[Hidden in reply to BeKind28-]

That's really interesting. Again, it would be good to do some research on this. Glad your migraines resolved!

[BeKind28- in reply to Hidden]

Thank You x

[Happyrosie]

my experience differs …. I had migraines from the age of fifteen. Always at the weekend or the first day of a holiday - i put this down to “not allowing myself” to have a migraine when working. Sometimes after alcohol sometimes not.

Menopause came and thee migraines disappeared never to return.

[Hidden]

Ah yes, that is common. My husband also had his worst migraines at the start of holidays or whenever he had a bit of time off (he worked 6 days a week as a doctor). He even had attacks on aeroplanes with vomiting and confusion - one memorable one, when he had to traverse Dubai airport in Emirates pyjamas after vomiting all over his clothes. And menopause often signals the end of migraines, just as puberty brings them on. They are a fascinating, although horrible condition. (I get them too, so very much sympathise!)

[Peony14]

Hi. I get complicated migraines (with aura) at the moment diarised at 2 per week, with a cloudy head most mornings on waking. Have had a PFO diagnosed awaiting closure. I was put on Clopidogrel and the migraines completely ceased for three weeks, no breathlessness, no fatigue, no nausea. However the pharmacy changed the brand of Clopidogrel and everything returned. As if with a switch. So strange. The three weeks on the other brand was marvellous though! Unsure of the difference. I have food allergies to dairy and egg and also to latex (but I am ok with bananas). It has been suggested by a friend, that I have an allergy test for nickel prior to the surgery in case of unknown allergy but I am sceptical as to whether this is a likely issue? Any thoughts gratefully received. Also yes fully commend any research into links with chronic/complicated migraine. It is so debilitating and one would hope to see a cure for people moving forwards.

[Hidden in reply to Peony14]

Hi, Interesting about your experience with clopidogrel (too). Re any nickel allergy/ sensitivity: presumably you would be aware of this already through rashes secondary to contact with jewelry, buttons etc or specific reactions to foods. Ask your surgeon their thoughts regarding this (or speak to their nurse or registrar/ nurses where your surgery is being done) well prior to your op. Hope all goes successfully