A relatively common symptom in the nose could indicate a life-threatening health issue. According to experts, nosebleeds may be linked to high blood pressure.
Roughly a quarter of UK adults are thought to beliving with raised blood pressure. When you suffer from high blood pressure - also known as hypertension - it means your heart must work considerably harder than normal to circulate blood throughout your body.
While this might not cause immediate difficulties, it can put extra strain on certain organs, potentially leading to harm. It's also recognised as a significant risk factor for several serious health emergencies, such as heart attacks and strokes. In most cases, raised blood pressure displays no symptoms, which means it can go undetected.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) states: "Most people don't know they have high blood pressure because there aren't obvious symptoms. That's why it's so important to get your blood pressure checked regularly."
However, there may occasionally be some telltale warning signs. The BHF lists nosebleeds amongst the possible indicators of raised blood pressure.
It continues: "Rarely, it can cause symptoms like blurred vision, headaches and nosebleeds." This specific symptom continues to divide opinion within medical circles, as research has not yet confirmed a clear link between the two conditions.
The Medical Associates of North Texas website explains: "You're not alone if you've heard that high blood pressure can cause nosebleeds. It's a common assumption - but the topic is still debatable.
"While most experts believe that hypertension alone doesn't cause nosebleeds unless your blood pressure is extremely high, it can damage the blood vessels inside your nose, making bleeding more likely.
"Some recent research has found that hypertension may increase your risk of more severe nosebleeds."
Research published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in 2020 revealed that people suffering from elevated blood pressure faced a 47 per cent greater likelihood of experiencing nosebleeds. The investigation examined 35,749 participants with an average age of 52 who had hypertension, comparing them against an equivalent number of people without the condition.
Throughout a 14-year period, researchers tracked spontaneous nosebleeds amongst both groups, focusing on episodes not caused by injury, surgical procedures or underlying illness. Beyond the 47 per cent heightened risk of nosebleeds, hypertensive patients endured more "severe" episodes of bleeding.
They were additionally 2.7 times more prone to needing emergency department intervention. The BHF notes that further indicators of elevated blood pressure may encompass vision problems and persistent headaches.
If you believe you're affected by high blood pressure, it's advisable to seek guidance from your GP.
