Low Blood Pressure a Culprit?
A new study released yesterday in an issue of Neurology states that people with higher blood pressure may be up to 40% less likely to suffer from both migraines and headaches. Apparently the “stiff arteries associated with high blood pressure” may decrease the risk of head pain. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414161552.htm
As a person with (typically) below average blood pressure, I find this interesting.
Just yesterday, I was voicing my concern to my S.O. about my ever-increasing blood pressure. Since beginning my migraine drug cocktail three weeks ago, my blood pressure has steadily risen from 102 over 60 to 120 over 70 to 125 over 82.
Perhaps this means my body is trying to make this medication work for it. Perhaps it means something serious. After all - one risk factor for stroke shouldn’t be traded for another.
Of course, there is evidence that any kind of pain - and particularly one as excruciating as migraine pain - can spike a blood pressure reading.
http://www.healthcentral.com/high-blood-pressure/question-answer-27970-63.html
While my daily, unrelenting head pain seems to have let up from a constant 4 to more of a steady 2.5 - 3.5, the spikes of pulsating, drilling agony seem to have increased in intensity from a 5 to anywhere between a 6 and 7.5. Perhaps this, too, and not just the medications, may have some part to play in the increased blood pressure.
