Does blood pressure medication put you at risk for a fall?

Does blood pressure medication put you at risk for a fall?

Elder Care Insights provides education, guidance and support for older adults and their families. The blog is written by our professional staff at Elder Care Consulting, Elder Care Associates and Senior Moments

In a recent Yale study, which reported that in a national sample of Medicare clients, 85%  of the participants were taking more than one medication to lower blood pressure.

Confusion, dizziness and fatigue are some of the side effects that occur with even one of these medications.  Risk versus benefit needs to be evaluated, especially as people age. Falls are just as serious as the strokes and heart attacks for which we give these medications.  A broken hip can lead to many other complications that might lead to a stay in a rehab or hospital, or necessitate a nursing home or assisted living and elder care services.

Most people incorrectly assume that once they are on this family of medications, they are safe.  A common belief is that if  side effects or reactions are not experienced, the individual may continue this medication for an extended period of time.  All assumptions are not without risk. Every medication needs to be evaluated as a risk factor for falls,  especially blood pressure medications that can lead to dizziness, blackouts and fainting when the person stands, which is known as orthostatic hypotension.

The Yale findings, which were published this month in JAMA Internal Medicine, mean that as with every medication, individuals and caregivers need to ask  a lot of questions and the risk verses benefit of the treatment needs to be considered carefully. Although the  study did not prove that taking these drugs led to falls, antihypertensive medications are among the possible suspects.

This is another example that points out the benefits of working with a Professional Geriatric Care Manager who acts as an advocate for older adults and works to educate the family and caregivers as well. Medications are confirmed and side effects are considered, clarification of the client’s true physical and mental status is evaluated, towards a goal of a less stressful and confusing experience for the patient and family.

Lori O'Connor, MSN, APRN is a national certified professional geriatric care manager and a certified dementia specialist with Elder Care Consulting, LLC For more information contact us at www.eldercareconsultingllc.com 860-643-9500.