What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Benign Exertional Headache
• Primary Exertional Headache

What is Primary Exercise Headache? (Definition/Background Information)

• Primary Exercise Headache may be described as an uncommon form of primary headache disorder that occurs from strenuous physical exercise of any form; the often pulsating headaches may arise during or following the exercise activity
• In order to be termed Primary Exercise Headache, there should be no physical health condition involving the brain such as a tumor/cyst, blood clot, neurological condition, or mental health disorder
• The condition may be precipitated by factors, such as high altitudes or hot temperatures, apart from sustained physical exertions. The cause of development of Primary Exercise Headache is not well-understood. Some experts inform that it may be caused by abnormalities in blood flow in the jugular vein, secondary to strenuous physical activities
• Individuals of any age group, gender, race, or ethnicity may be at risk for Primary Exercise Headache. However, the condition is generally observed in teens and young adults
• Primary Exercise Headache generally responds well on treatment with indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

The criteria for diagnosis of Primary Exercise Headache as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• At least two headache episodes fulfilling the criteria below
• Brought on by and occurring only during or after strenuous physical exercise
• Lasting less than 48 hours
• Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)

Differential diagnosis to exclude the following conditions is very important prior to arriving at a diagnosis of Primary Exercise Headache:

• Cerebral arterial dissection
• Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS)
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Note: When the signs and symptoms does not fulfill all the diagnostic criteria outlined for Primary Exercise Headache as recognized by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), it is defined as Probable Primary Exercise Headache.