Masked Hypertension Linked to 70% Higher Fall Risk in Adults Over 78, Study Finds

Adults older than age 78 with masked high blood pressure—normal readings in the doctor's office but elevated readings at home—had a 70% higher risk of falls compared with those who had sustained high blood pressure in both settings, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026. The findings, announced via NEWMEDIAWIRE, highlight a hidden danger for a rapidly growing segment of the population and suggest that home blood pressure monitoring could be a critical tool for preventing falls.

The study analyzed 758 adults aged 78 to 98 from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, with a median age of 83 and 59% women. 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, nearly one in four participants (23.4%) reported falling at least once in the previous year. Notably, lower office blood pressure relative to home blood pressure was associated with a higher incidence of falls.

"Preventing falls in elderly adults should be a top priority," said Frances Wang, Ph.D., M.S., the study's presenting author and a researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "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."

Falls are the leading cause of disability and functional decline in adults age 65 and older, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study's results 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.

"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 for patients when physical independence is lost."

The implications extend beyond individual health. With an aging population, preventing falls could reduce healthcare costs and preserve independence. Home blood pressure monitoring, now more accessible, can help identify those at risk. For more information on blood pressure management, the American Heart Association offers resources such as Health Threats from High Blood Pressure and Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. Additional tools are available at Find High Blood Pressure Tools and Resources.

The study was funded by the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript. The abstract will be published in the Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 Supplement of the Hypertension journal. For more details, view the original release on www.newmediawire.com.