What kind of headache is associated with severe hypertension, occurring in the morning and resolving later?

The type of headache associated with severe hypertension that occurs in the morning and resolves later is a suboccipital pulsating headache. This type of headache typically arises due to increased intracranial pressure or issues related to hypertension, making it particularly significant in the context of elevated blood pressure.

Patients often experience this headache during the night or upon waking, which can be linked to the body's circadian rhythms and how blood pressure fluctuates during sleep. As the day progresses and blood pressure stabilizes or decreases, the headache commonly resolves.

The characteristics of this headache help differentiate it from other types. For instance, cluster headaches tend to occur in cyclical patterns and are usually unilateral, often accompanied by autonomic symptoms such as tearing or nasal congestion. Migraines are more typically associated with aura, nausea, and photophobia, while tension headaches tend to be bilateral and described as a tight band around the head rather than pulsating.

Understanding the specific presentation and characteristics of this headache is crucial for recognizing when hypertension might be playing a role and highlights the importance of monitoring and managing blood pressure in patients who present with this type of headache.