A common symptom affecting the nose could be a sign of a deadly condition. Nosebleeds could signal high blood pressure, according to experts.
Approximately one in four adults across the UK is believed to have elevated 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 may not initially present any problems, prolonged periods can place additional stress on specific organs, resulting in potential damage.
It also represents a major contributing factor in various medical crises, including heart attacks and strokes. In the majority of instances, elevated blood pressure produces no symptoms, meaning it can remain undiagnosed.
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF): “High blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms.”
Nevertheless, there can occasionally be some revealing indicators. The BHF identifies nosebleeds as one potential sign of elevated blood pressure.
This particular symptom remains a contentious topic amongst medical organisations, as studies have failed to establish a definitive connection between the two.
The Medical Associates of North Texas states: “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.”
What does the research suggest?
A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in 2020 discovered that individuals with high blood pressure had a 47% higher risk of nosebleeds. The research involved studying 35,749 people with an average age of 52 who had high blood pressure, comparing them to an equal number of individuals without high blood pressure.
Over a span of 14 years, the team monitored spontaneous nosebleeds in each group, which included nosebleeds not triggered by trauma, surgery or disease. In addition to having a 47% increased risk of nosebleeds, those with hypertension experienced more “severe” bleeding.
They were also 2.7 times more likely to require treatment in an emergency room. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) states that other symptoms of high blood pressure can include blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and headaches.
If you suspect you have high blood pressure, it’s recommended that you consult your GP.