Adults older than 78 with masked high blood pressure—normal readings in a doctor's office but elevated readings at home—face a 70% higher risk of falls compared to those with sustained high blood pressure in both settings, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026. The meeting, held in Arlington, Virginia, from October 7-11, 2026, is a premier scientific exchange focused on recent advances in high blood pressure research.
Falls are the leading cause of disability and functional decline in adults age 65 and older, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While low blood pressure is traditionally considered a fall risk, emerging evidence suggests high home blood pressure may also contribute. The study's findings align with the American Heart Association's 2025 Joint Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults, which recommends annual blood pressure monitoring and home monitoring to confirm diagnoses and tailor care.
"Preventing falls in elderly adults should be a top priority. These findings highlight that, in addition to office blood pressure measurement, home blood pressure readings can be an important way to identify hidden home high blood pressure and risk of falls in older adults," said Frances Wang, Ph.D., M.S., a researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the study's presenting author. "Home blood pressure measurement can add helpful health information for older adults and, as shown in findings from prior studies, for most of the general public."
The study analyzed 758 adults aged 78-98 from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Among them, 34.5% had sustained high blood pressure, 17.0% had white coat hypertension, 15.4% had masked hypertension, and 33.2% had normal readings. Over a median follow-up of 350 days, 23.4% reported falling at least once in the previous 12 months. Lower office blood pressure relative to home blood pressure was linked to higher fall incidence.
"These findings confirm that 'normal' office blood pressure isn't always the end of the story," said Karol E. Watson, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, a volunteer expert for the American Heart Association. "This deserves a closer look because falls can often accelerate decline in both physical and mental function." Watson, who was not involved in the study, is the Chair of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
The implications for patients and healthcare providers are significant. Home blood pressure monitoring, now more accessible, can identify hidden risks and guide treatment. For more information on high blood pressure risks, see the American Heart Association's resources on Health Threats from High Blood Pressure and Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. Additional tools are available at Find High Blood Pressure Tools and Resources. The abstract will be published in the Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 Supplement of the Hypertension journal. For the original release, visit www.newmediawire.com.
