Headache associated with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Headache often accompanies acute ischemic stroke. Observational studies indicate that 15 to 40% of patients with acute ischemic stroke report headache in close temporal relation to the event. The onset headache is more often seen in posterior circulation strokes than in strokes in other vascular territories. Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) can also lead to headache. The pathophysiology of headache associated with acute ischemic stroke includes edema, hemorrhagic transformation, and changes in the trigeminovascular system.