Some patients with migraine headaches have cardiac arrhythmias and/or cardiac malformations.
Cardiac arrhythmias associated with migraine include:
(1) ventricular tachycardia
(2) sinus bradycardia
(3) atrial fibrillation
(4) atrial premature contractions
(5) ventricular premature contractions
ECG changes may include:
(1) nonspecific ST and T wave changes
(2) atrioventricular and right bundle branch block
(3) prolonged PR intervals
(4) increased QTc interval
The cardiac arrhythmias are associated with:
(1) autonomic nervous system dysfunction
(2) abnormal atrial and ventricular repolarization.
Cardiac arrhythmias may be a particular problem for patients with basilar-type migraine.
The cardiac arrhythmias and ECG changes tend to occur or be more pronounced during a migraine attack.
Cardiac malformations may include:
(1) mitral valve prolapse
(2) atrial septal aneurysm
(3) patent foramen ovale
(4) atrial septal defect
