High blood pressure may cause nosebleeds. But most people with high blood pressure never have any symptoms. If a person with high blood pressure does have symptoms, they are usually vague. These symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds.

Medical studies looked at whether high blood pressure can cause nosebleeds. Some studies found no proof of this. But other studies support a link between high blood pressure and nosebleeds.

When Symptoms Do Occur

When people with high blood pressure do have symptoms, they are usually caused by another problem. These may include:

  • An underlying condition which is causing the high blood pressure (such as kidney or heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, or thyroid disease)
  • A hypertensive crisis, which is a medical emergency (an episode of severe high blood pressure over 180/120 mm Hg and symptoms of organ damage)
  • Side effects from blood pressure medication
  • A condition not related to high blood pressure
  • A different cause such as other types of medicine or allergies

The Bottom Line

Since most people have no symptoms, high blood pressure can go unnoticed and untreated. This is why high blood pressure is often called the “Silent Killer.” Most people don’t know they have it because there are no signs or symptoms.

Untreated high blood pressure can cause damage to organs such as the heart, brain, blood vessels, and kidneys. The damage may eventually cause serious diseases such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. This usually happens slowly over a long period of time. Symptoms of these serious diseases may begin to appear, but by then, the damage is done. Treating high blood pressure can prevent damage before it happens.

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Get your blood pressure tested at least once a year!