Headache and sick sinus syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND: Sick sinus syndrome is a common disease in cardiology. Typical symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and amaurosis. However, to date, there are no known reports of sick sinus syndrome presenting with headache. Whether there is a correlation between headache and sick sinus syndrome merits further research. In this report, we describe a case of headache induced by sick sinus syndrome. CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old female patient presented to our department with the chief complaint of recurrent paroxysmal headache for more than 7 years. The patient described paroxysmal palpations, usually headache occurring after palpitation. Her blood pressure was normal when the most recent headache occurred. A magnetic resonance imaging study and magnetic resonance angiography of the head at another center were normal. A clinical neurological examination was negative. A 24-h Holter electrocardiogram monitoring study showed sick sinus syndrome. The patient received dual chamber pacing implantation and was administered drug therapy to control ventricular rate. The patient’s paroxysmal headaches and palpitations had resolved within 1 year, confirmed via a follow-up telephone call. CONCLUSION: After dual-chamber pacing implantation and drug therapy administration to control the ventricular rate, the patient’s paroxysmal headaches and palpitations had resolved within 1 year, confirmed via a follow-up telephone call. We believe that the headaches were related to the patient’s sick sinus syndrome.