If you take aspirin to protect against heart disease and stroke, frequent nosebleeds could be a warning sign that your dose is too high. Studying people who had had a stroke, researchers in Finland discovered that they were 17 times more likely than people who hadn't had a stroke to use aspirin and to have had nosebleeds.

The blood thinning properties of aspirin that protect against blocked arteries and one type of stroke (ischemic stroke) can also increase the risk of bleeding in the brain, leading to another type of stroke (hemorrhagic stroke).

This new study suggests that in people who take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, nosebleeds may signal an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Strokes were also more common in people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or a previous ischemic stroke.

If you take aspirin regularly and have frequent nosebleeds, ask your doctor about reducing your dose.

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