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Question:

What is causing my sister's incessant nose bleeds?

Hi Doc, I would like to know what causes my sister's incessant nose bleeds. She is on INR meds for stroke and had an operation to repair a hole in her heart. Every time she moves too much, her nose bleeds. Are the meds the cause, and what can we do to help her?

submitted by Whilmary from South Africa on 10/27/2014

Answer:

by Texas Heart Institute cardiovascular surgeon, Denton A. Cooley, MD  

Anticoagulants are most likely the cause, but may be necessary to prevent another stroke.  She might ask an ear/nose/throat (ENT) specialist if the bleeding point could be cauterized.     

See also on this site:

• Center for Women's Heart & Vascular Health       
• Heart Information Center 

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Updated October 2014