You may get more nosebleeds if you have high blood pressure. But you can take steps to lower your blood pressure levels, and there are simple at-home ways to treat nosebleeds if you do experience them.

High blood pressure is sometimes called the silent killer because it often doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. However, research shows that chronic high blood pressure, known as hypertension, raises your risk of nosebleeds.

This article focuses on why high blood pressure can lead to more frequent and severe nosebleeds, and what the medical community recommends you do about reducing your blood pressure levels and treating the causes of nosebleeds before they happen.

If you’re at increased risk, there are certain steps you can take to prepare and treat nosebleeds if they occur.

The question of whether high blood pressure leads to nosebleeds (epistaxis) has been widely debated over the decades.

While some research isn’t conclusive and doesn’t show any cause-and-effect relationship between the two, many studies over the years have actually shown that hypertension is a risk factor for nosebleeds and is more directly linked to that condition.

This nationwide population study in 2020 involved people with and without hypertension, finding people who had high blood pressure were 1.47 times more likely to get nosebleeds than those without hypertension.

Researchers used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service to examine the risk of nosebleeds in people with high blood pressure, matching them with people without hypertension to study the comparative rates and severity of nosebleeds.

The study showed that people with high blood pressure would have a higher need for hospitalization for nosebleeds, compared to those without hypertension.

While the researchers also hypothesized that nosebleeds may lead to a rise in blood pressure, the study didn’t find a clear cause-effect relationship.

The study authors suggested that clinicians and healthcare professionals offer guidance about nosebleeds to people with hypertension and that the presence of high blood pressure should be part of the clinical guidance in managing nosebleeds.

What is high blood pressure?

Hypertension is a blood pressure reading higher than 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). If your blood pressure reading is greater than 140/90 mm Hg, you may be diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension.

Learn more about hypertension.

Researchers point to the likelihood that the blood vessels in your nose are more susceptible to damage and more likely to bleed over time. A 2019 study pointed to changes in nasal vessels being observed in those who had hypertension and experienced nosebleeds.

The 2020 pair of studies noted that for people with hypertension, nosebleeds may be more severe and more difficult to manage compared to those without hypertension. That led to them visiting the hospital more often as a result of the nosebleeds, compared with those not experiencing them as frequently.

An important limitation of that research was that it didn’t factor in how people with hypertension managed their high blood pressure and whether they followed any medication or care protocols in relation to that high blood pressure.

Aside from a higher risk of nosebleeds, people with hypertension might also experience other symptoms that include:

Medical emergency

If you have a blood pressure reading over 180/120 mm Hg and you’re experiencing other symptoms of a hypertensive crisis such as a headache or shortness of breath, call 911 for immediate medical attention.

High blood pressure is common, but you may experience nosebleeds for unrelated reasons. These might include:

  • exposure to dry air
  • picking your nose
  • damage to your nose or nasal vessels
  • alcohol-related reasons
  • nasal sprays
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin
  • other medical conditions, such as cancer or hemophilia
  • blood thinners

Experiencing nosebleeds and high blood pressure together can result from the use of illegal drugs like cocaine.

When to seek medical care

Most nosebleeds aren’t signs of a serious condition.

But you may need to seek medical attention if:

  • bleeding lasts longer than 20 minutes
  • you have heavy blood flow
  • it developed after a head injury
  • if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg (this is considered a medical emergency)

You can find step-by-step instructions here on treating nosebleeds and what to do if you experience them more frequently.

There’s still debate about whether high blood pressure increases the chances of developing nosebleeds. People with high blood pressure may get more frequent or more severe nosebleeds, but further research is needed to fully understand the link.

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because it usually doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. Your healthcare team can advise you on how best to manage high blood pressure and how it can affect your overall health.