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What Causes Pressure In Chest Area After Having Imitrex For Migraine?

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Posted on Thu, 2 Apr 2015
Question: My wife took imitrex for a migraine. Feeling heavy pressure on her chest. Took BP with machinex3 and it is 144/106 heart rate 68
Should she go to the ER?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Goswami Debopom (1 minute later)
Hello.
If she regularly takes any medication for high Blood pressure , ask her to take it immediately.
Get her to the ER immediately to get an electrocardiogram done for the heaviness over the chest.

Get back to us.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Goswami Debopom (15 minutes later)
She did take her blood pressure medicine about 1/2 hour ago. Going to take presure again. If it is ok should we still go to ER?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Goswami Debopom (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Go to Emergency for EKG

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your question. I can understand your concern.

I have gone through the details of your post.
She has very rightly taken the medication to lower the blood pressure .
Check the blood pressure .That is absolutely fine.

But I am more concerned about the heaviness in the chest as I pointed out earlier .
Chest discomfort can be due to gastro-esophageal disorders, peptic ulcer disease, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischaemia(low blood flow to heart) , inflammation of covering of heart (pericarditis) - worst case scenarios.

An immediate Electrocardiogram(EKG) must be done to rule out an acute myocardial infarction(heart attack) , myocardial ischaemia . In the ER they can also get a blood test for cardiac enzymes like Troponin-T . The chest heaviness may not be a serious issue. Just rule out with an EKG.

Also in the ER consult for change in medication for Blood pressure so that it can be kept in control in the future.

Do not worry much.

Write back to us.

Regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Goswami Debopom (31 hours later)
Wanted to thank you for your responses and let you know the results.
On our way to Church yesterday morning the pressure came back, not as strong but decided to head to the ER. Her BP was up again 170 / 94 HR 58.
EKG, X-Ray on heart and lungs, enzymes, and a series of troponin level checks. All tests came back negative although her Cardiologist said he felt the symptoms were directly related to the Imitrex and to stop taking it. He also changed her BP med from Nadolol - 20mg to Norvasc 2.5mg to start with. He said this should help with blood pressure and migraines. He also reminded her that this needs to be taken on a regular dailey schedule for it to help prevent the migraines. He let her know that had she been taking the Nadolol on a regular basis she might not have had the migraine to begin with and not felt like she had to take the imitrex. He also said he has seen cases of Imitrex causing an MI. Although rare, he has seen it.
I found this article http://www.rxlist.com/imitrex-drug/medication-guide.htm
doctor
Answered by Dr. Goswami Debopom (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me.

Detailed Answer:
Stop the imitrex.
Your doctor has rightly changed the B.P medications to keep the B.P under control.
Continue the Norvasc 2.5 mg.
Take her for regular Blood pressure checkups .

DO not worry much.
Get back to us.
Have a nice day.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Goswami Debopom

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 484 Questions

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What Causes Pressure In Chest Area After Having Imitrex For Migraine?

Hello. If she regularly takes any medication for high Blood pressure , ask her to take it immediately. Get her to the ER immediately to get an electrocardiogram done for the heaviness over the chest. Get back to us.