Had exertion headaches few months ago but recovered, still worth getting checked?

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

A few months ago I had tried switching to an early AM workout and somehow ended up getting serious exertion headaches probably from not being used to bracing with heavy loads in the morning.

Any activity that slightly raised my heart rate would immediately cause a headache (pain in back of head corresponding with every heart beat), which would subside immediately when my heart rate returned to normal.

I took two weeks off since I imagined that’s what a doctor would’ve told me to do anyway and the headaches went away and I haven’t had any problems since. I learned recently though that they can be more serious and it seems some doctors will recommend getting imaging done to confirm.

Questions:
If it’s been this long since I’ve recovered, is it still worth looking into getting it checked?

If so, is there a specialist I could directly contact for this sort of imaging or would I have to be routed to one through my GP?

Thanks

2

The majority of exertion headaches are benign, particularly when they spontaneously resolve and don’t come back. I’ve had them myself, particularly when doing lots of heavy overhead pressing.

However, consider the uncomfortable position you put us in with this question. We are never going to recommend someone purposefully not get evaluated, due to the obvious associated medicolegal issues there.

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