Symptom in the nose could signal 'silent killer' affecting 1 in 4 Brits could

A symptom that affects the nose might indicate a life-threatening condition. According to medical professionals, nosebleeds could be a warning sign of high blood pressure.

Roughlyone in four adults throughout the UK is thought to suffer from raised blood pressure. When you have high blood pressure - also referred to as hypertension - it means your heart has to work much harder than usual to pump blood around your body.

Whilst this might not cause immediate issues, extended periods can put extra strain on certain organs, leading to possible harm. It also serves as a significant risk factor for numerous medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes.

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In most cases, raised blood pressure shows no symptoms, which means it can go undetected. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) explains: "High blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms."

However, there can sometimes be some telltale signs. The BHF lists nosebleeds as one possible indication of raised blood pressure.

But this specific symptom continues to be a disputed matter among medical organisations, as research has not been able to prove a clear link between the two. The Medical Associates of North Texas explain: "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

A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in 2020 found that people with high blood pressure faced a 47 per cent greater risk of experiencing nosebleeds. The research examined 35,749 participants with an average age of 52 who suffered from high blood pressure, contrasting them with an equivalent number of people without the condition.

Across a 14-year period, the researchers tracked spontaneous nosebleeds in both groups, focusing on bleeding episodes that weren't caused by injury, surgical procedures or illness. Beyond the 47 per cent heightened risk of nosebleeds, those with hypertension also endured more "severe" bleeding episodes.

Additionally, they were 2.7 times more likely to need emergency department treatment. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) notes that additional signs of high blood pressure may include blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and headaches.

If you believe you may have high blood pressure, it's advisable to speak with your GP.