From the Research
Wellens syndrome is not typically associated with headaches as its primary symptom, and management should focus on urgent cardiac catheterization and revascularization to prevent extensive anterior myocardial infarction, as supported by the most recent study 1. Wellens syndrome is characterized by specific ECG changes (deeply inverted or biphasic T waves in leads V2-V3) that indicate critical stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery, predicting an impending anterior wall myocardial infarction. The classic symptoms include chest pain that resolves at rest, not headache. Some key points to consider in the management of Wellens syndrome include:
- Urgent recognition of the condition to prevent delay in treatment, as highlighted in 2 and 3
- The importance of cardiac catheterization and revascularization, as emphasized in 4 and 5
- The potential for headaches to be unrelated or due to cardiovascular medications or anxiety, as suggested by the lack of mention of headaches as a primary symptom in any of the studies 2, 4, 1, 5, 3
- The need for standard headache treatments to be used cautiously and only after ensuring they do not interfere with cardiac medications, as implied by the focus on cardiac management in all the studies. Overall, the primary concern in Wellens syndrome is the high risk of extensive anterior myocardial infarction, and management should prioritize urgent cardiac intervention, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.