Association between epistaxis and hypertension: a one year follow-up after an index episode of nose bleeding in hypertensive patients

Abstract

Association between epistaxis and hypertension is controversial. In this study, we evaluated in hypertensive patients the incidence of epistaxis according to stages of hypertension and compared blood pressure (BP) readings in these episodes to routine readings. Thirty-six patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) with epistaxis were enrolled and divided into 3 groups according to hypertension severity (JNC-VI criteria). BP readings were obtained weekly (routine BP) and in the setting of a new episode of epistaxis (epistaxis BP). No difference in the incidence of epistaxis was found: patients with hypertension stage 1 had 7.6+/-4.1 episodes/year, those in stage 2 had 8.0+/-4.0 and in stage 3 the incidence was 8.2+/-3.9 (p=ns). The average SBP for all 36 patients was 154+/-19 mmHg on routine readings and 157+/-22 mmHg on epistaxes episodes (p=ns). No difference was also observed regarding DBP: 104+/-18 mmHg vs. 105+/-18 mmHg (p=ns). In conclusion, epistaxis incidence in hypertensive patients is not associated to hypertension severity. Moreover, BP readings in the setting of epistaxis are similar to readings obtained in routine situations.