Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

What causes vascular headaches?

1. Allergic reactions

2. Emotional stress

3. Physical trauma

4. Vessel dilation or inflammation in the cranium

The correct answer is: Vessel dilation or inflammation in the cranium

The correct answer addresses the underlying physiological mechanisms involved in vascular headaches, such as migraines and cluster headaches. These headaches are characterized by changes in the diameter of blood vessels in the brain. When blood vessels dilate or become inflamed, it can lead to increased blood flow and pressure, which can trigger headache pain. This dilation can excite pain receptors in the surrounding tissues, resulting in the typical symptoms associated with vascular headaches. Other factors, like allergic reactions, emotional stress, and physical trauma, can contribute to headaches but do not specifically account for the vascular changes that define this type of headache. While these factors may provoke or worsen existing headaches, the direct cause of vascular headaches is the alteration in vascular dynamics within the cranial structure.