[30F] Experiencing head pressure and lightheadedness

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible causes for your symptoms include:

• Tension Headache: These are common types of headaches that can cause a constant band-like pressure around the head, often spreading to or from the neck. They are often related to stress, lack of sleep, poor posture, or eye strain.

  • Treatment typically involves over-the-counter pain relievers, rest, and stress management.

• Migraine: This is a type of headache characterized by severe head pain, often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. However, you did not report these additional symptoms.

  • Treatment usually involves medications to relieve symptoms and prevent future attacks.

• Cervicogenic Headache: This is a type of headache that originates from disorders of the neck, like muscle tension or strain. The pain is usually perceived in the head but the source is actually the neck.

  • Treatment often involves physical therapy, exercises, and possibly pain medications.

• High Blood Pressure: Given your history of hypertension and heart disease, high blood pressure could potentially cause headaches and lightheadedness. However, high blood pressure often does not cause symptoms until it is severely high.

  • Treatment involves lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive medications, which you are already taking.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and other conditions could also explain your symptoms.

What you can do

You should reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms. They may want to evaluate you in person and possibly order some tests, like blood pressure measurement or imaging studies. In the meantime, you can:

1. Rest and stay hydrated.
2. Try over-the-counter pain relievers for your headache, if you haven't already.
3. Avoid known headache triggers, such as certain foods, lack of sleep, and stress.
4. Maintain good posture, especially if you're working at a desk or looking at screens for long periods.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your headache or neck pain becomes severe
• You develop new symptoms, such as fever, confusion, weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite rest and over-the-counter treatments

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with your healthcare provider for accurate information.