Why does nitroglycerin cause such crazy headaches?
Answer:
Not to all people,,,however, nitroglycerin, causes a notorious dilatation of the intracranial veins, and in persons prone to headaches and migraine, it may trigger a very trublesome "hedache" bordering with migraine...the reason is:
All veins inside of the cranium have nervous terminals surrounding them , innervated by beta sympathetic fibers, sensitive to pain.when a vein dilates a bit too much, the distension of the vessel causes pain, quite exactly in the same manner, that our big bowel gives us pain or colics when is too distended...
If nitroglycerin causes too much headache, its time to change it for another cardio protective vasodilator, for instance, nifedipine slow release..or amliodipine 5 mg BD.
Its a matter of personal sensitivity to a particular medication...
Nitro dilates your peripheral blood vessels to reduce BP. The headache is due to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain due to reduced blood supply.
Because it is for chest pain/angina. It helps the heart but also increases blood flow to the brain FAST! You may need to reduce the amount you use.
Nitroglycerin and nitrates dilate all vessels esp arteries and headache is due to the pounding of blood against the arterioles of the brain. It is a severe dull, sometimes intolerable pain. Some people are more prone.
Hi
Nitroglycerin is meant to open up the arteries of the heart when exercise induced chest pain occurs.
Unfortunetly, when it opens the arteries of the heart it also opens all the other aterial blood vessels as well. Soooooo, this causes the headache because the body has not been able to react quick enough to keep the other arteries closed or in a normal position.
Pam
It dilates the blood vessels and allows more blood flow to the brain so you get a headache from that.
Because it allow the blood vessels to dilate ( open up ). If the blood vessels are constricted( narrowed/tightened), the medication will cause these vessels to become more open.This response can cause headaches.The increase in blood flow = headaches.
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