[Headache and hypertension. Myth and evidence]

Abstract

The relationship between headache and hypertension has been debated for many years. Although most studies have shown that chronic hypertension and headache are not associated, the myth of a hypertensive headache still exists. There are several reasons why the "hypertension headache" misperception persists: Hypertension is an epiphenomenon of pain. Headache is a common side effect of some antihypertensive drugs. Headache is the most common presenting symptom of hypertensive encephalopathy, followed by seizures, focal neurological deficits and loss of consciousness. This review summarizes the existing literature and highlights the relationship between headache, hypertension and disease with a focus on hypertensive encephalopathy and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with acute endothelial damage.