TL;DR
Get oils, diffusers and self-care delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A preliminary study of 758 adults older than 78 found that those with masked high blood pressure had a 70% higher rate of falls than peers whose blood pressure was high both at home and in a medical office. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s 2026 Hypertension Scientific Sessions; the study does not establish that masked high blood pressure caused the falls.
A preliminary study of 758 adults older than 78 found that people with masked high blood pressure—readings that were normal in a medical office but high at home—had a 70% higher rate of falls than peers whose blood pressure was high in both settings. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 in Arlington, Virginia; researchers have not shown that the blood pressure pattern caused the falls.
Researchers classified participants by comparing blood pressure readings taken in medical offices with readings taken at home. 15.4% had masked high blood pressure, while 34.5% had sustained high blood pressure, meaning readings were high in both settings. Another 17.0% had white coat high blood pressure—high readings in the office but not at home—and 33.2% had normal readings in both settings.
Over a median follow-up of 350 days, 23.4% of participants reported having fallen at least once during the previous 12 months. The study also found that, when differences between office and home blood pressure were assessed as a continuous measure, lower office readings relative to home readings were associated with a higher incidence of falls.
The report describes the research as preliminary. It does not provide evidence that masked high blood pressure directly led to falls, nor does the supplied account specify how the researchers adjusted for other possible influences on falling. The fall measure was self-reported, and the reported 12-month fall history overlaps with the study’s follow-up period rather than representing only falls occurring after enrollment.
The result highlights a possible gap in assessing older adults using office measurements alone: normal readings at a clinic may not reflect blood pressure at home. If the association is supported by further research, home measurements could help clinicians identify a pattern that accompanies increased fall risk and inform a broader assessment of an older patient’s health and safety.
Falls are a major concern for older adults. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies falls as the leading cause of disability and functional decline among people aged 65 and older. A fall can threaten mobility and independence, but this study does not establish that treating masked high blood pressure would prevent falls. Its findings point to a potential signal for clinicians to investigate, not a proven fall-prevention intervention.
For patients and caregivers, the practical message from the researchers is to discuss home blood pressure readings with a health care professional rather than interpreting an isolated number independently. Decisions about measurement, diagnosis or treatment should be made with a clinician who can consider a person’s full circumstances.
Office and Home Readings Differ
Masked high blood pressure refers to blood pressure that appears normal in a clinical setting but is high outside it, such as at home. The opposite pattern is often called white coat high blood pressure, in which office readings are high but home readings are not. Comparing the two settings can identify differences that a clinic reading alone may not show.
The American Heart Association’s 2025 joint guideline recommends annual blood pressure monitoring for all adults. It recommends home monitoring to help confirm an office diagnosis of high blood pressure and to track readings and progress as part of an integrated care plan. The report says the new findings are consistent with the value of home measurements, while the study itself examines an association with falls.
Frances Wang, the presenting author and a researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said home readings can help identify high blood pressure that may be missed in an office measurement. The research was presented at the association’s scientific meeting, held in Arlington from October 7 to 11, 2026.
““These findings highlight that, in addition to office blood pressure measurement, home blood pressure readings can be an important way to identify hidden high blood pressure at home and risk of falls in older adults.””
— Frances Wang, Ph.D., M.S., study presenting author and researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Cause and Clinical Impact Remain Unknown
The study found an association, but why falls were more common among participants with masked high blood pressure is not established. Watson said the pattern may relate to blood pressure variability or how well people regulate blood pressure throughout the day, but described that as a possibility rather than a demonstrated explanation.
The supplied report does not detail the study’s full methods, participant characteristics beyond age and number, or adjustments for factors such as health conditions, medication use, balance and mobility. It also does not say whether falls were independently verified. Those limits make it difficult to determine how much the blood pressure pattern itself contributed to the observed difference or how broadly the results apply beyond this group.
It is also unclear whether identifying and treating masked high blood pressure would reduce falls. The researchers did not report a trial of an intervention, and the findings are preliminary conference research rather than evidence that a specific care change prevents injury.
Further Research Must Test the Link
The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s 2026 Hypertension Scientific Sessions. The report does not announce a follow-up study or give a date for publication of a full research paper. Further research would be needed to clarify the methods, test whether the association holds in other groups of older adults and determine what might explain it.
For now, Wang encouraged older adults, family members and caregivers to measure blood pressure at home regularly and share the results with a health care team. The association’s guidance supports home monitoring as part of care, but individuals should discuss how and when to measure readings and what action to take with a clinician. Whether home monitoring can help prevent falls remains unproven.
Key Questions
What is masked high blood pressure?
It is a pattern in which blood pressure readings are normal in a medical office but high at home. Comparing readings from both settings can reveal differences that an office measurement alone may miss.
How much higher was the reported fall rate?
Among adults older than 78, the study reported a 70% higher rate of falls for those with masked high blood pressure than for participants whose readings were high both in the office and at home. This is an observed association, not proof of cause.
Does the study show that masked high blood pressure causes falls?
No. The researchers reported a link but did not establish why the fall rate was higher or show that high blood pressure at home caused falls. Other factors may be involved.
Should older adults check their blood pressure at home?
The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring in appropriate care plans to help confirm a diagnosis and track readings. Older adults should ask a health care professional how to measure and interpret their readings; the study does not show that monitoring alone prevents falls.
Source: rss
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Picks
long weekend sales
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
