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What Causes Headache While On CRT-D Implantation?
Posted on
Thu, 25 Aug 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 25 Aug 2016
Answered on
Wed, 14 Sep 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My husband had a crt-d fitted nearly 3 weeks ago but for the last 10 days he seems to have a headache which goes from the back of his head to the top. His blood pressure is 170/90. Could the pacemaker be causing this.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that the headache is not related to the crt-d implantation.
His blood pressure values are above the normal ranges and this could lead to headache.
I would also like to know if he is taking any anti-platelet agents or anticoagulation therapy?
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with his attending physician for a physical exam and some tests:
- a cervical spine X ray study (to exclude possible chronic degeneration of the cervical column which could lead to pain in this region)
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests) to exclude other possible secondary causes of high blood pressure.
A brain CT scan may be needed, especially if he is on anticoagulation therapy or if abnormal physical exam.
Meanwhile, I recommend you to closely monitor his blood pressure and refer those values to his attending physician. If there is persistent high blood pressure and all the above tests result normal, further changes to his antihypertensive therapy may be needed in order to have a better control of his blood pressure.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that the headache is not related to the crt-d implantation.
His blood pressure values are above the normal ranges and this could lead to headache.
I would also like to know if he is taking any anti-platelet agents or anticoagulation therapy?
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with his attending physician for a physical exam and some tests:
- a cervical spine X ray study (to exclude possible chronic degeneration of the cervical column which could lead to pain in this region)
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests) to exclude other possible secondary causes of high blood pressure.
A brain CT scan may be needed, especially if he is on anticoagulation therapy or if abnormal physical exam.
Meanwhile, I recommend you to closely monitor his blood pressure and refer those values to his attending physician. If there is persistent high blood pressure and all the above tests result normal, further changes to his antihypertensive therapy may be needed in order to have a better control of his blood pressure.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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