Electrocardiographic changes in migraine

Abstract

Background: Migraine is the second most common cause for primary headache. Migraine often results in considerable disability and decrease in the patients’ quality of life. Its prevalence is highest in the age group of 25-55 years, which are the peak years of economic productivity. In literature, autonomic nervous system impairment in migraine is well documented, i.e., migraine is of neural origin. Furthermore, autonomic dysfunction in migraine may also affect autonomic innervation of the heart resulting in electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. Aims and Objectives: To study ECG changes in patients of migraine. Materials and Methods: Thirty migraine female patients aged 25-55 were included. 30 age and gender-matched controls were chosen for comparison. In all the study individuals and controls, resting ECG was recorded. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired Student t-test. Results: The resting heart rate was found to be significantly higher in migraineurs compared to controls (P < 0.05). QTc interval although was within the normal range, it was significantly more (P < 0.01) in migraineurs when compared to controls. Conclusion: ECG changes were found in migraineurs which indirectly suggest disturbed autonomic innervation to heart.