Patients over 70 years old on antihypertensive medication may be at a higher risk of a serious fall, especially if a patient has previously experienced a fall, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Of the patients in the study receiving antihypertensive medication, nine percent experienced serious falls. Of those who experienced serious falls, 16.9 percent died.
Patients on antihypertensive medication were up to 1.4 times more likely to experience a serious fall than patients not on antihypertensive medication. Additionally, patients on antihypertensive medication who had previously experienced a fall were up to 2.31 times more likely to fall again.
Researchers suggest weighing the pros and cons of antihypertensive medications in older adults to determine the best course of action for optimal quality outcomes.
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