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Nose bleeds, medically known as epistaxis, is a very common occurrence in people of all ages, especially children. Bleeding from the nose could be light or heavy, depending upon its cause. Most cases of nose bleeds last for a minute or so, but at times, the bleeding may go on for a couple of hours. Many of us regard a nose bleed as nothing more than a minor inconvenience. However, there are several different factors that could cause you to experience a nosebleed. These include -

• Anemia
• A severely cold or a hot climate
• Common colds
• Deficiency of calcium
• Dehydration
• Dryness in the environment
• Excessive stress
• Hardened arteries
• High altitude
• Hormonal changes
• Injuries
• Migraines
• Over exposure to nasal decongestants
• Sinusitis
• Trauma
• Tumors
• Undergoing nasal surgery
• Use of certain medication

Some of the causes of nose bleeds are quite serious and need to be addressed by a doctor without any delay. Several people also ask their doctors if it is possible to suffer from frequent nose bleeds under conditions of high blood pressure.

Can high blood pressure cause nose bleeds?

Yes, high blood pressure can cause you to experience frequent nose bleeds. However, bleeding from the nose is only likely to occur when hypertension reaches a dangerous, perhaps even a life-threatening, stage.

The amount of blood pumped by your heart and the resistance to the flow of blood in your arteries determines your blood pressure levels. In case your heart pumps a high amount of blood through your arteries or if your arteries are narrow, you may be suffering from hypertension.

This is a common medical condition, mainly seen in those who are over the age of 40. This condition causes the force of blood in your arteries to go very high, which in turn could lead to serious health problems. Left unchecked, high blood pressure could eventually result in heart diseases, a stroke or paralysis.

Hypertension usually takes many years to develop and eventually most people suffer from it as they get older. Some of the most common causes include -

• Being overweight or obese
• Chronic kidney diseases
• Congenital defects in the blood vessels
• Excessive stress
• Following a diet high in salt
• Genetics or a family history of high blood pressure
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke
• Thyroid and adrenal disorders
• Use of certain medication or drugs

You could suffer from high blood pressure for years, without experiencing any symptoms. Many people only realize they have hypertension when they go to their doctors for a routine checkup. However, if the condition reaches an advanced stage, it could cause you to experience certain symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, dull headaches, swelling in the feet, blurred vision, palpitations as well as nosebleeds.

In case you experience frequent nose bleeds because of hypertension, you can address the symptoms by getting your blood pressure under control. The first step to do so is incorporating a few lifestyle and dietary changes. Given below are a few self-care measures to lower your blood pressure -

• Eat right: The DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) Diet mainly consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products. This diet is usually recommended for patients suffering from hypertension as it restricts their intake of salt and saturated fat.
• Exercise: Increasing your levels of physical activity helps control high blood pressure to a great extent. Include at least half an hour of cardiovascular exercises like walking, running, jogging, cycling and swimming in your daily routine.
• Relieve stress: Practice techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, massage therapy and acupuncture to get rid of excess stress, which is one of the leading causes of hypertension. Also make sure that you get an adequate amount of sleep and rest during the day.
• Quit unhealthy practices: In case you smoke or drink an excessive amount of alcohol, you may be asked to give up on these habits.
• Schedule routine checkups: Speak to your doctor about how often you should get your blood pressure checked and follow the recommendation to the dot.

At times, lifestyle and dietary changes alone may not be enough to bring your blood pressure levels under control. In such instances, you need to follow the medication prescribed by your doctor.

In case you experience nose bleeds in spite of taking your medication and following the steps mentioned above, seek emergency medical attention.

References

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=symptoms

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.