Concussion can alter heart function through an upset to the autonomic nervous system (ANS), part of the nervous system in charge of involuntary body processes, such as the heart beating, breathing, and digestion.

Some people recover quickly from headache after concussion, but others take much longer. How do we know as soon as possible what will be the case for someone who has had a concussion? A recent study in Cephalalgia by Marbil and colleagues tracked the progression of headaches over time in children after a new concussion. They found that post-concussion headaches were common and were more severe in those with a history of headache prior to concussion.

A study found that former college football players are at “increased risk for degenerative brain diseases,” and reported cognitive impairment diagnoses, recurrent headaches, and cardiovascular disease at higher rates than an age-matched control group.

An article in Harvard Health Publishing breaks down new research on healthcare disparities faced by patients with headache disorders. Researchers Jessica Kiarashi et al. found significant disparities based on race, sexuality, socioeconomic status (SES), urban/rural geographic differences, and more.

An article published on Verywell Health provides a well-written overview of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of post-traumatic headaches (PTH). These headaches typically stem from traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, the most common causes of which are falls, automobile injuries, sports injuries, and domestic abuse.