Migraine Headaches and Hypertension: What’s the Link?

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A strong correlation exists between migraine headaches and hypertension, according to numerous studies on high blood pressure in patients of chronic headache disorder. To find out why hypertension occurs with migraines, and to prevent life-threatening symptoms related to high blood pressure, it’s important to understand the risk factors involved.

Migraine Headaches and Hypertension: What’s the Link?

Migraine headaches and Hypertension meds

According to this study on migraines and hypertension, medications prescribed for hypertension may cause painful headaches as a side effect. Also, if you know that you battle with high blood pressure, it’s important to know the effects of certain migraine headache medications on hypertension, as certain drugs used to treat migraines may worsen a pre-existing condition of hypertension.

“Many of the drugs used to treat hypertension may cause headache and some agents used to treat migraine headaches can exacerbate hypertension and so careful consideration of the therapeutic options is important.”

Although certain migraine drugs work to prevent migraines by regulating healthy blood pressure, that is not always the case. There are many other types of migraine medications that work to prevent migraines accessing various biochemical reactions, some of which may cause blood pressure to rise.

Migraine drugs that cause hypertension

Medications used by migraine headache patients that may cause hypertension include:

  • NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and Naproxen
  • Decongestants for treating migraines triggered by sinus headaches, including Sudafed
  • Vasoconstrictors for migraine, including Ergotamine (Cafergot, Ergomar)

What Causes Migraines? The Long and Short Answers

Manage migraines and hypertension, naturally

To manage hypertension and migraine headaches, it’s crucial to seek natural alternatives to prescription medications whenever possible, in order to prevent side effects that only exacerbate migraine headaches or raise your blood pressure.

To lower blood pressure while treating migraines naturally, try the following:

  • Avoid high-sodium foods, including canned vegetables
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise daily
  • Find ways to reduce stress
  • Reduce alcohol intake
  • Quit smoking
  • Increase your intake of natural vitamins, herbs, and minerals that are known to regulate healthy blood pressure and benefit migraine patients.

    These include potassium, coenzyme Q10, butterbur, garlic, magnesium, and B vitamins, such as folate and riboflavin.

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Sources:

Migraine and hypertension. Is there a relationship?

High Blood Pressure and Migraine

Medications That Cause High Blood Pressure

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