Published on: 7/4/2025
What does a pulsating headache indicate and when should I see a doctor?
A pulsating headache can be caused by migraines, high blood pressure, and other health conditions. You should see a healthcare provider if the headache is severe, frequent, worsening, or occurs with other symptoms. Reasons to seek emergency medical care include experiencing a sudden severe headache, sudden weakness in the arms or legs, sudden difficulty speaking, and/or concurrent symptoms like fever, stiff neck, or vomiting.
Explanation
Pulsating headaches are often associated with migraines, but they can also indicate other health issues, some of which can be very serious (such as high blood pressure affecting blood vessels in the brain). It is important to consult a healthcare provider for a personalized medical assessment and treatment plan, especially if the headache is severe, frequent (more than twice per week), worsening, and/or occurs with other concerning symptoms.
Examples of When to Seek Emergency Medical Care For a Headache
- Sudden, Severe Symptoms: If the headache is sudden and severe and/or if the headache occurs with sudden weakness, vision changes, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting that you haven't had before.
- Fever And Stiff Neck: Certain infections can cause headaches as a symptom, as well as fever and a stiff neck.
Consulting a healthcare provider is the best way to determine why you are experiencing these symptoms and what the appropriate treatment is.
(References)
- Meseeha MG, & Attia M. (2016). Throbbing headache is not always migraine; it can be serious. Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives, 27802851.
- Fujimori J, Ogawa R, Murata T, Jin K, Yazawa Y, & Nakashima I. (2020). Unilateral chronic pulsatile headache as the single .... Journal of neuroimmunology, 32682139.
- Tentolouris-Piperas V, Lymperopoulos L, Tountopoulou A, Vassilopoulou S, & Mitsikostas DD. (2023). Headache Attributed to Reversible Cerebral .... Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 37685270.
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