BOSTON -- Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital are investigating whether a heart procedure could relieve pain from the debilitating headaches.

“I couldn’t work. I couldn't really do anything. Sometimes I just couldn't get my head out of the bed,” said migraine sufferer Liz Missett.

Boston Doctors Investigate Possible Migraine Cause

Her search for relief revealed two shocking discoveries. “MRIs that I had showed I had a stroke. It turned out I had a hole in my heart.”

Doctors said Missett had a PFO, a hole located between her right and left-side heart chambers. In 75 percent of Americans, the hole closes after birth, but when it doesn't, doctors suspect the unfiltered blood may trigger migraines in patients like Missett.

“Interestingly when we do PFO closures to prevent stroke, many of the migraines get better in patients that have suffered strokes,” said Dr. Ignacio Inglessis, and interventional cardiologist at MGH.

Inglessis and colleagues are investigating whether closing the PFO can reduce migraines in patients who have not suffered a stroke.

Doctors pass a tube through a vein directly into the heart and insert the device. “They basically create a clamshell structure that eliminates the hole,” said Inglessis. Missett said the procedure also eliminated her pain, something she did not expect.

“I went from about 25 migraines in a month to maybe four migraines a month after the procedure,” said Missett. “This procedure was my saving grace. It gave me my life back.”

Doctors said this study is not appropriate for everyone with migraines. Patients must have a history of serious migraines for which medication has not been effective. They must also have a hole in the heart, and have not had a stroke. You can find more information by calling 617-643-1371.