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Headaches Following Stroke
By Kerrie | March 13, 2007
A reader asked for information on chronic headaches that began after a stroke when the patient was in his late 50s. All that I find is about headaches as a warning sign of stroke.
Do you have know any sources on headaches following a stroke? If so, please leave a comment.
Thanks!
March 23rd, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Twenty-five per cent of strokes will present with headache as a symptom of the stroke. Usually, though, the headache is not a persisting problem.
You do not mention whether the stroke was a hemorrhagic stroke (due to bleeding into the brain), or a thrombotic stroke (due to clot), or due to small vessel disease (damage of the blood vessel wall). A hemorrhagic stroke would be most likely to leave a sequela of headache.
It would also be important to know whether or not there is residual high blood pressure.
In other words, it depends, and is highly individualized to the patient, who should see a neurologist about his headaches.
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As is everything headache-related, but thanks for the good start!
Kerrie
July 9th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Kerrie,
I reaize it is over a year since you posted your question. My mother is 65, had a stroke last month (small vessel disease) and complains of the most severe headaches she has ever had. They are all the same as what she felt when she had the stroke (on the right side of her head behind her eye). They come at least once a day, if not more often.
She has seen a Neurologist and other Dr.’s. No one can figure it out, they just prescribe tylenol with Codein.
Do these resemble the headaches you saw? If so, did the headaches eventually go away? Or do they persist?
I have also been unable to find any research on this.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Roy - Kerrie is on vacation until later this month and I am holding the fort. I will bring your comment to her attention so she can respond. I hope your mother’s pain resolves soon!
- Megan