My Head Has a Safety Valve

About three years ago, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Being an optimist, I thought that if I cut down on salt, it would clear up. Also, I thought, no symptoms, no problem. So I didn’t take any anti-hypertension drugs.

Then, in late October last year, I had a nosebleed, then several others, sometimes two or three times a day, sometimes every other day, over about three weeks. The penultimate nosebleed was so spectacular that my friends rushed me to A & E, where I vomited blood over the reception desk.

The cause of my nosebleeds was high blood pressure. I now take my drugs and my blood pressure is normal.

I am cursed with stupidity but blessed with at least one weak blood vessel high up in my nose.

If a blood vessel somewhere else had gone, like in my brain or my heart, I would now be disabled, or dead, or both.

My head is like a steam engine with a regulator, with blood substituting for steam.

Not everyone is so lucky. If you are ever diagnosed with hypertension, it would be a good idea to take the tablets.