New Daily Persistent Headache Support Group

Just wondering really, does anyone have abnormal blood pressure? I have been reading up on all sorts of things that fit all of my symptoms in particular, but one thing that seems to be quite common is blood pressure causing headaches, particularly low blood pressure.

If this could be a possibility for you, then go down to your GP and get your BP checked. I think it's worth a try, don't you?

I think if it is off too far either way it can cause headaches (or maybe headache singular, though it is much harder to find anything written about that). Mine is pretty normal, though I know my former supervisor at work (back when I had a job) as soon as I started having my headache wanted to make sure I had my blood pressure checked (he even snagged a nurse to do it...I was at a nursing home after all). His had been too high and caused horrible headaches (I think plural, not really sure) until he got on medication to get it back under control.

I am not surprised to hear that too low of blood pressure can also cause headache. It seems like nearly anything that is too far out of balance can. Have you been able to tell any difference in your headache level with your blood pressure (like is it worse when BP drops or any better if you can get it higher)?

My bp is usually 110/70 or so. I don't think the top number has ever been higher than 130, but one time at the doctor's office it was something like 100/50. I can't remember if I had a terrible headache, but maybe I did because I was completely medicated. Maybe that's why it was so low.

Yet another mysterious component of this chronic headache dilemma...

I've always heard of headaches plural. Blood pressure fluxuates, so when it's at a high or low point for you is when you could get a headache. Most of us go into the doctor at least every 6 months and get it checked though.....

Most of the "common" headache causes do not apply to us as they cause headaches, not a headache.

Taking a beta blocker can both lower blood pressure, and release the pressure on some of the veins in the head among other things for headache and migraine sufferers. Same sort of concept that I way dumbed down.

I didn't respond to blood pressure medications.

I developed high blood pressure while having this headache. I have read that a (moderately) high blood pressure can even decrease the pain threshold. So I wonder if maybe it was a reaction of my body to cope with the pain. Who knows. I was put on a betablocker and it helped with the blood pressure and with the headache. When I got off the betablocker, my blood pressure remained normal for a long time. Once in a while it did spike up again but went back to normal eventually. I have had an 24 hour-blood-pressor monitoring and all seems to be fine. Personally I cannot say for sure if my high blood pressure episodes are generally related to a higher or lower level of head pain. Lately I was in less pain when my blood pressure was a little high.

Still I agree that very high or very low blood pressure both are likely to produce/increase a headache.

Post edited by: kolle, at: 06/17/2009 07:59 AM