Migraine Headaches Support Group

Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Migraine Headaches Support Group

Elevated blood pressure and Migraines

YvetteK
YvetteK
I just wanted to address something that I see being said over and over in this forum about blood pressure and migraines. I see many people say that high blood pressure causes their migraines. I'm not sure why so few people know this, but that's not the case. Migraines cause blood pressure to rise, and not the other way around. Yes it's true, blood pressure meds do help migraines, but many people who have normal blood pressure are nonetheless on blood pressure meds to treat their migraines.

I'm sure there are cases of people who do have high blood pressure and that doesn't help their migraine condition, but I just see this statement so much, I just wanted to put it out there that it isn't always the case for everyone.
Squarley
Squarley
Yes you're right my blood pressure goes up when I have a migraine and is okay when I don't so it can because of the stress and the blood pressure thing I think it can cause it to rise at least that's the way it is with me
YvetteK
YvetteK
It's not actually the stress of the migraine. It's the mechanism of the migraine causing the blood pressure to rise. Any time I am any doctor appointment (they all know I have migraines), and my blood pressure is elevated, they always ask me right away if 'm having a migraine to rule that out first. Once I tell them yes, they don't even worry about it at that point.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am also on blood pressure medication because when I get a migraine, my normal blood pressure raises and my migraines are painful. It is a time when my blood pressure goes into the high range and the longer the migraine, the higher my blood pressure.

I usually tell the doctor's nurse when she is setting up the blood pressure equipment that I have a migraine and if it is just starting or super bad.