Rosh Internal Medicine Boost Practice Exam

What type of headache might indicate potential secondary causes related to hypertension?

1. Cluster headache

2. Tension-type headache

3. Frontal headache

4. Throbbing headache

The correct answer is: Frontal headache

Frontal headaches can often signify secondary causes related to hypertension, particularly when the headache is new, severe, or presents differently than the patient's typical headache pattern. In cases where blood pressure is significantly elevated, it can lead to increased intracranial pressure or vascular changes that may manifest as a frontal headache. These headaches can be associated with a range of conditions linked to hypertension, such as hypertensive crises, intracranial hemorrhage, or even cerebral edema. Since the frontal region of the head is commonly affected by such secondary causes, recognizing a frontal headache in the context of high blood pressure prompts evaluation for these serious underlying issues. Other types of headaches, such as cluster headaches, tension-type headaches, and throbbing headaches, usually have specific characteristics or triggers and are less commonly associated with secondary causes linked explicitly to hypertension. While they can occur in the presence of hypertension, they do not typically serve as a direct indicator of secondary causes in the same way frontal headaches can when evaluated in the context of new or worsening symptoms.