Migraines and Low Blood Pressure
2007 Copyright Harvard Health Publications
Question:
When I get migraines, my blood pressure is very low (93/64). Is
this normal?
Answer:
Low blood pressure doesn't develop during a typical migraine
headache. There have been rare reports of patients with complex
neurological conditions whose symptoms included migraines and
widely fluctuating blood pressure. However, in most people, the
blood pressure will stay the same or even go up during a migraine
attack.
Keep in mind that some people will always have "low" blood
pressure. A pressure of 93/64 is actually normal, not low. If your
blood pressure is usually much higher — say 140/90 — and falls to
90/60 during a headache spell, a medical evaluation is in
order.
One other thing to consider is that certain migraine treatments
can lower blood pressure, including drugs used to control the
nausea that's common during migraine attacks.
James S. Winshall, M.D., is an associate physician at
Brigham and Women's Hospital. In addition to his role as senior
editor at Harvard Health Publications, Dr. Winshall practices
general internal medicine and is an assistant professor at Harvard
Medical School.
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Source: from the Harvard Health Publications Family Health Guide, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved.
Used with permission of StayWell.
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