Work

Orthostatic blood pressure fluctuations and risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults: the role of recovery time

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Available literature related to the association between orthostatic blood pressure (BP) variations and falls is controversial. We analyzed how orthostatic hypo- (OH) and hypertension (OHTN) relate to falls considering recovery time (RT) in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This analysis uses data from the ActiFE cohort. BP was measured lying, immediately, 1, 2 and 3 min after standing. Systolic OH (sOH) and systolic OHTN (sOHTN) indicate a systolic BP (SBP) drop or increment ≥20 mm Hg, respectively. OH and OHTN further consider a diastolic BP (DBP) drop or increment ≥10 mm Hg. RT was categorized as Early Recovery ( < 1 min), Delayed Recovery (1-3 min), or No Recovery. Falls over 12 months were collected prospectively. Logistic regression examined associations with falls, adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, hemoglobin, instrumental activities of daily living, hand strength, fall risk-increasing drugs, past falls, Falls Efficacy Scale-International and anxiety. RESULTS: Among 509 subjects (mean age 79 years, 44% female, 168 falls), prevalences were: 16.5% sOH, 26.9% OH, 9.0% sOHTN and 15.5% OHTN. Overall, OH was not associated with falls. However, falls risk increased with Delayed (OR 3.11 [95% CI 1.21-8.01]) and NoRecovery (OR 4.04 [95% CI 1.07-15.26]). sOH showed an adjusted OR of 2.00 [95% CI 1.15-3.47] for at least one fall. Regarding RT the risk of falls was increased in Delayed (OR 4.73 [95% CI 1.71-13.10]) and No Recovery (OR 5.06 [95% CI 1.42-22.27]). OHTN was not associated with falls. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, only sOH was associated with falls. When RT was considered, those with Delayed and No Recovery showed higher risk of falls regardless of the OH definition used.

Source: BMC Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-026-08516-1

Authors: Valeria Arbieto Alvarez, Clara Hertneck, Dietrich Rothenbacher, Michael Denkinger, Dhayana Dallmeier

Institutions: University Hospital Ulm, Universität Ulm, Agaplesion Bethesda Klinik, Boston University

Language: English

Topic: Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

Subfield: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190