It was a typical morning. My mother was getting ready; this was her usual routine: bustling around the house. When she suddenly stopped and shouted, blood was oozing from her nose. As kids, my siblings and I were terrified. We scrambled to help, but it wasn't until later that we learned the cause of that alarming moment: high blood pressure. That day was our first lesson in the silent yet powerful effects of hypertension. Nosebleeds, or epistaxis, are common, and nearly everyone experiences at least one in their lifetime.

While most are minor and often caused by dry air or irritation, some can signal underlying health concerns. One recurring question is whether high blood pressure causes nosebleeds or is merely coincidental.

Where Exactly Does a Nosebleed Occur?

The nose is covered by a rich plexus of small blood vessels, making it prone to bleeding. Most nosebleeds are anterior in origin, occurring at the front of the nose, and are relatively benign. They often occur because of irritants such as dry air, frequent nose-blowing, or trauma.

On the other hand, posterior nosebleeds are caused by a source that is located deeper within the nasal cavity. They are less common but more severe, as the blood tends to flow backward into the throat, making them more difficult to control. Common causes of posterior nosebleeds include trauma, medical conditions, or high blood pressure.

Connection Between Nosebleeds and High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is the condition whereby the pressure of blood against the arterial walls is consistently too high. Over time, this may damage the fine blood vessels in the nose, causing them to rupture more easily.

Significant studies have shown a strong relationship between hypertension and severe cases of nosebleeds necessitating urgent care. A certain study showed that patients diagnosed with high blood pressure had 2.7-fold increased chances of having nosebleeds that were not slight.

However, it should be noted that mild hypertension by itself does not cause nosebleeds. Nosebleeds are more likely to happen during a hypertensive crisis when the blood pressure suddenly rises to above 180/120. A hypertensive crisis can also have other symptoms such as a severe headache, shortness of breath, and anxiety. Therefore, it is considered a medical emergency.

Why Does Hypertension Increase the Risk?

Chronic hypertension makes the walls of blood vessels weaker and less elastic, which easily causes them to tear. In the nose, this is especially vulnerable because the blood vessels are close to the surface. Sudden surges in blood pressure, such as in a hypertensive crisis, can cause tears in these weakened vessels, resulting in nosebleeds.

While hypertension is a contributing cause, nosebleeds occur infrequently as the only manifestation of high blood pressure. This makes regular monitoring for blood pressure all the more crucial, as hypertension has the reputation of being the "silent killer" since people often do not present symptoms until the disease has run its course.

Other Causes of Nosebleeds

• Dry Air: Cold weather or house heating dries out membranes that line the nose, hence susceptible to cracking.
• Trauma: Blows in the nose, nose picking or excessive nose blowing can traumatize blood vessels.
• Intrinsic Disease: Liver disease and kidney disease and drug therapy that affect clotting such as blood thinners enhance the risk of nose bleeding.
• Foreign Bodies: Children especially tend to insert objects up their noses, which can be irritating and bleed.
• Allergies or Infections: Chronic nasal inflammation resulting from allergies or colds causes irritation to the nasal mucosa.

Managing Nosebleeds at Home

For most nosebleeds, you can manage them yourself at home:

1. Sit up and lean slightly forward to prevent swallowing blood.

2. Press your nostrils together for at least 10 minutes.

3. Use a cold compress on the bridge of your nose to constrict blood vessels.

4. If the bleeding continues, use a nasal decongestant spray.

Consult a doctor if the bleeding persists beyond 20 minutes, is heavy, or follows a head injury.

Preventing Nosebleeds

Preventive measures can decrease the incidence of nosebleeds:

• Use a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air.
• Apply saline sprays or gels to keep nasal passages hydrated.
• Avoid nasal trauma by being gentle when blowing your nose.

For patients with hypertension, managing blood pressure is the best way to minimize the risk of complications. A combination of lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and prescribed medications, can help keep blood pressure in check.

When to Worry About Nosebleeds

Most nosebleeds are harmless, but they can sometimes be signs of an underlying health condition. In adults with high blood pressure, frequent or severe nosebleeds should never be ignored. A health provider should be consulted in order to rule out any serious conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.

Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and awareness about the relationship between nosebleeds and high blood pressure would go a long way to protect your health. Indeed, prevention is always better than cure.

Epistaxis and hypertension. Post Graduate Medical Journal. 1977

"You are 35; you are healthy. It is probably a panic attack," said Kristina Auwarter, as reports SELF Magazine, when she first felt a throbbing pain in her chest when she was picking her son up from his crib. There was nothing to be worried about she thought because she had been working out, her blood work was fine. She thought it was just a heartburn and popped Tums. Had it not been her sister who was home that day, she wouldn't have called 9-1-1. When she reached at the hospital, she learned what she had was a heart attack. She learned that she had a total blockage in the largest of the three arteries that feed the heart.

She is far from someone who would get a heart attack. However, a 2018 study published in AHA|ASA Journals show that there had been a surge in younger patients, under 54 for heart attack between 1995 and 2004, and it has led to a 10% jump among women being hospitalized for the same, while the proportion of men remained the same. Another 2019 research by the American College of Cardiology reported that people under age of 50 were reporting more heart attacks, and the number had jumped to 2% each year from 2000 to 2016.

For women, the long-term impact of a heart attack at a young age is often more severe. Multiple studies show that younger women are less likely than men to receive timely tests and appropriate treatments, and are more likely to be re-hospitalized or die later from heart disease.

Are Younger Women More Prone To Heart Attack?

Hormonal conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can accelerate risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and elevated blood sugar. All of them could fuel plaque buildup in the arteries. This has become even more common due to less nutritious diets and increasingly sedentary lifestyle.

While these are some of the traditional risk factors, non-traditional risk factors often disproportionately affect young women. These include adverse pregnancy outcomes such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. Rates of pregnancy-related high blood pressure have doubled over the past two decades, while gestational diabetes has climbed by roughly 30%, trends likely tied to worsening pre-pregnancy health and lifestyle shifts that are not particularly heart-friendly.

The matter of the fact is that for the longest these conditions were viewed as temporary problems, confined to pregnancy. The assumption was, one a person delivered, the dangers passed, however, it is not the case. There are numerous research that suggest that these complications can double and even more than double the risk of future cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack. Scientists have suspected that they may either reveal an underlying vulnerability to heart disease or trigger lasting inflammation or damage to blood vessels.

Mental health is another underappreciated piece of the puzzle. Women are about twice as likely as men to experience mental health conditions, and that disparity carries heart-related consequences. SELF reports that women with depression face a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than men with the same diagnosis, and psychological distress appears to raise future heart risk in women but not men. Researchers believe women may experience more intense mental health symptoms or a stronger biological stress response, which could translate into greater strain on the heart over time.

Autoimmune diseases add yet another layer of risk. These conditions, which are roughly twice as common in women, are characterized by chronic inflammation. Over years, that inflammation can damage the lining of blood vessels, quietly increasing the likelihood of a heart attack.

The biggest issue is that many of these atypical risk factors are not included in the standard tools doctors use to estimate heart attack risk. As a result, opportunities to intervene early are often missed, particularly in younger women. In one study of 3,500 young people who experienced a heart attack, women were significantly less likely than men to recall a doctor ever discussing their heart disease risk.

This gap in awareness carries over to diagnosis and treatment. Because heart attacks are still widely stereotyped as an older man’s problem, young women may not recognize what is happening when symptoms appear, even when those symptoms include classic chest pain. At the same time, the message that women often have “different” heart attack symptoms can backfire, leading some to dismiss chest discomfort altogether. Both things can be true: chest pain or pressure remains the most common symptom across sexes, but women are also more likely to experience additional, less typical signs.

These can include pain or tightness anywhere from the jaw to the abdomen, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, unusual fatigue, or a vague sense that something just isn’t right. For many women, the sensation is not dramatic or crushing, just unfamiliar, which makes it easier to ignore. Combine that with the reality that women’s symptoms are more likely to be downplayed or attributed to anxiety or stress, and delays in seeking care become almost inevitable. Research cited by SELF even shows women are more likely to call an ambulance for a male partner than for themselves.

Why Is The Diagnosis Trickier In Women?

Diagnosis becomes even trickier when a heart attack is triggered by something other than the classic plaque buildup in the arteries—a scenario that appears to be far more common in younger women. A 2025 Mayo Clinic study found that more than half of heart attacks in women under 65 were caused by nontraditional mechanisms such as blood clots traveling to the heart, artery spasms, or spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), compared with about a quarter of cases in men. SCAD, in particular, overwhelmingly affects women.

Doctors are still unraveling why these atypical heart attacks skew female, but theories point to a mix of genetics, differences in blood vessel structure, hormonal fluctuations, and the effects of intense physical or emotional stress. Because these events are not driven by plaque, they can strike women who have none of the classic risk factors, making them easier to miss and harder to diagnose in time.

Can a simple test detect multiple cancer all at once? The New York Times reports that in the spring of 2021, this idea had first came into being, where a simple test could detect different cancer including those that do not have any regular screening. Now, the buzz is even louder around that. The test is called Galleri, and data suggest that its performance has improved.

Many companies are racing to develop this multi-cancer early-detection blood test and while none are yet approved by the federal regulators, people are already demanding for it. They cost hundreds of dollars.

The company that manufactures Galleri, GRAIL, said that a total of 420,000 tests had been prescribed so far, which shows a surge from 180,000 as of March 31, 2024. The company is also planning to apply for approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), next year. It is also seeking that Medicare would cover the tests.

What Does The Research On This New Cancer Detection Test Say?

While the demand is there, the research on it is limited. Cristian Tomasetti, the director of the Center for Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Monitoring at City of Hope, a cancer center in Southern California told the NYT, "It feels like the airplane is being built while flying."

Most of the available evidence so far comes from studies conducted by GRAIL and other test developers. In GRAIL’s latest study, nearly 99 percent of the around 23,000 people screened using the Galleri test received a negative result. However, 40 percent of positive findings were later found to be false, and the test detected only 40 percent of cancers that were diagnosed within a year, missing the remaining 60 percent.

Case Study

The idea behind this test is that when cancer is detected earlier, it is easier to treat. Dr. Elizabeth O’Donnell, who heads a multi-cancer early detection clinic at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston described the experience as doing something truly meaningful for a patient, particularly when the cancer involved has no established screening test.

That possibility became real for William Hill, a 56-year-old firefighter from Brockton, Massachusetts, who took the Galleri blood test last year during a firefighters’ conference. Firefighters are often exposed to carcinogens while on duty. His blood sample was sent to a North Carolina laboratory, where scientists analyzed fragments of DNA for patterns that could indicate cancer and identify its likely origin.

Two weeks later, the result came back: a cancer signal had been detected.

Hill said he initially hoped the finding was a mistake, especially since he had already been treated for testicular cancer in the past. Further testing at Dana-Farber, including an abdominal CT scan, confirmed metastatic testicular cancer, and treatment began right away.

Looking back, Hill realized that symptoms he had brushed off, such as back pain and frequent urination, were caused by a tumor pressing against his kidney. At the time, he had attributed them to aging and the physical demands of his job.

While it remains unclear whether the test ultimately changed his long-term prognosis, Hill believes it prompted earlier treatment. He said that without the test, he likely would not have suspected cancer and might have delayed care, allowing the tumor to grow further.

Stories like Hill’s point to the promise of multi-cancer blood tests. However, there is still no solid evidence that they reduce cancer-related deaths. Such proof exists for screenings like breast, cervical, colon, and lung cancer, based on large randomized trials conducted over many years.

Weight-loss jabs, or GLP-1 receptor agonists, have provided many people with results that diets alone could not achieve. For those struggling with constant cravings, these medications have quieted the persistent “food noise” that often drives overeating. They have transformed not only body shapes but also self-confidence and daily habits.

Yet questions remain: can people safely stop taking these drugs, and what happens to the body when they do? These are still largely unknown, as the drugs are relatively new. GLP-1s mimic a natural hormone that controls hunger, but the long-term effects are only beginning to be understood. Additionally, for the estimated 1.5 million people in the UK paying privately for these injections, maintaining treatment can be costly.

Two women, Tanya and Ellen, share their personal experiences with the BBC on weight-loss jabs and what life was like when they attempted to stop.

Weight Loss Jabs: Tanya Hall’s Experience

Tanya, a sales manager in the fitness industry, initially started taking Wegovy to challenge her own perceptions about weight and authority. She often felt overlooked or undervalued because of her size, and hoped that losing weight would change how others treated her, as per BBC.

Early in treatment, Tanya experienced side effects including nausea, headaches, sleep issues, and hair loss, which she describes as clumps coming out. Despite this, she steadily lost weight—six stone (38 kg) over 18 months—and the injections quieted the relentless urge to eat.

However, every time she tried to stop, her appetite surged within days, leaving her horrified at her own eating. Now, Tanya continues the medication, feeling it has become essential to maintaining her weight and the confidence it brings.

Weight Loss Jabs: What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Taking Them?

Wegovy’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, stresses that treatment decisions should be made with medical guidance and that side effects must be considered. Lifestyle GP Dr. Hussain Al-Zubaidi likens stopping GLP-1s abruptly to being hit by a “tsunami” of hunger.

Research shows that within one to three years of stopping these medications, people can regain 60–80% of the weight they lost. This highlights how these drugs work not just by reducing appetite temporarily but by fundamentally altering hunger cues.

Weight Loss Jabs: Ellen Ogley’s Journey

Ellen turned to Mounjaro after reaching a critical point in her life. Her weight had put her at risk during surgery, and emotional binge eating dominated her daily habits. Once on the medication, Ellen noticed her compulsive eating completely stopped.

Over 16 weeks, she lost 3 st 7 lb (22 kg) and began tapering off the injections over six weeks. She focused on developing a healthier relationship with food, creating balanced meals, and incorporating exercise into her routine. Despite some weight creep after stopping, she has since lost a total of 51 kg and now feels confident her habits are sustainable.

Weight Loss Jabs: The Importance of Support

Dr. Al-Zubaidi emphasizes that exiting GLP-1 treatment safely requires guidance and long-term support. NICE recommends at least a year of tailored advice after stopping injections to help individuals maintain their weight and prevent relapse, as per BBC.

For patients paying privately, such structured support may not always be available, increasing the risk of regaining weight. Lifestyle, mindset, and environmental factors play a significant role in long-term outcomes.

Tanya has chosen to continue with her medication, aware of the pros and cons, while Ellen has closed that chapter and built a sustainable routine for life after Mounjaro.

Weight-loss jabs can dramatically change appetite and body weight, but stopping them can be challenging. The transition off these drugs requires careful planning, support, and lifestyle adjustments. As Tanya and Ellen’s experiences show, the journey varies by individual, and long-term strategies are essential to maintaining health and weight loss results.

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, states that patient safety is its top priority and that it continually monitors and reports information on treatment outcomes to regulators and prescribers.