Objective Upper gastrointestinal bleeding has a high risk because of its rapid change. The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A total of 242 patients with suspected acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in our hospital from January 2019 to February 2021 were selected as the research objects. The general data such as patients' age, gender, whether they had a long-term history of smoking or drinking, whether they had complications and data of complications were collected. The clinical characteristics were analyzed by univariate analysis, and the independent risk factors were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results Age, long-term drinking history, peptic ulcer, portal hypertension, acute gastric mucosal lesions, taking aspirin (ASA drugs), Hp infection and other clinical characteristics were correlated with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but gender and long-term smoking history were not. Age, peptic ulcer, portal hypertension, taking ASA drugs and Hp infection were the risk factors of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusion The acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a serious disease, with high mortality, and the bleeding needs timely targeted treatment. For patients with high-risk acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, closely monitor the changes of the disease and evaluate the risk coefficient are needed.