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In a preliminary study of 758 adults older than 78, masked high blood pressure was associated with a 70% higher rate of falls than high blood pressure measured both at home and in the office. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions; they show an association, not that masked hypertension causes falls.
A preliminary study of 758 adults older than 78 found that those with masked high blood pressure—normal readings in a medical office but high readings at home—had a 70% higher rate of falls than peers whose blood pressure was high in both settings. The findings, presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions in Arlington, Virginia, point to home readings as information that may help identify older adults at risk, but do not establish that masked hypertension causes falls.
Researchers grouped participants by blood pressure measured in the office and at home. The study classified 34.5% as having sustained high blood pressure, with elevated readings in both settings; 17.0% had white coat high blood pressure, with higher readings in the office; 15.4% had masked high blood pressure; and 33.2% had normal readings in both settings.
During a median follow-up of 350 days, nearly one in four participants—23.4%—reported at least one fall in the preceding 12 months. The report also said that, when office and home readings were compared as continuous measures, lower office blood pressure relative to home blood pressure was associated with a higher incidence of falls. The fall information was self-reported, and the report does not provide enough detail to determine when each fall occurred relative to the blood pressure measurements.
The work was described as preliminary research presented at the 2026 AHA Hypertension Scientific Sessions, held October 7–11. Study presenting author Frances Wang, a researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, said home readings may add information to clinical assessment and help identify “hidden fall risk.” The American Heart Association expert quoted in the report, Karol E. Watson, was not involved in the study.
Why Home Readings May Matter
Blood pressure measured at a clinic may not reflect readings at home. In this study, the group with normal office readings but high home readings had a higher reported fall rate than the group with high readings in both places. That finding suggests clinicians may miss a pattern if they rely on office measurements alone, although the research does not establish that home monitoring or treatment changes would prevent falls.
Falls can have serious consequences 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 65 and older. The AHA report notes that falls can contribute to loss of independence. The findings may prompt further study of how blood pressure patterns relate to falls and whether home measurements help clinicians assess risk alongside other relevant health information.
The study should not be read as a reason to change blood pressure medication or care without a clinician’s advice. Its results describe an association in a specific group of adults older than 78; they do not explain the mechanism or show that the association applies to all older adults.
Office and Home Readings Differ
Masked high blood pressure refers here to readings that are high at home but not high in the medical office. The contrasting pattern, white coat high blood pressure, describes higher office readings than those recorded at home. Measuring blood pressure in both settings can reveal differences that a single office check may not capture.
The AHA’s 2025 joint guideline recommends annual blood pressure monitoring for all adults. It recommends home monitoring to help confirm an office diagnosis and to monitor blood pressure, track progress and inform care as part of an integrated plan. The guideline recommendation provides context for the study; it does not mean the fall findings prove that home monitoring prevents falls.
Earlier research cited in the report has suggested a link between high blood pressure at home and falls among older adults, despite low blood pressure often being considered a fall risk. The current study adds findings from adults older than 78, but the available report does not describe enough methods or comparison data to establish why the observed association occurred.
“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, study presenting author and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researcher
What the Study Cannot Establish
The findings show an association, not cause and effect. The study report does not explain why people with masked high blood pressure had a higher fall rate, whether blood pressure variability contributed, or whether another factor influenced both readings and falls. Watson specifically said the study did not explain the reason for the difference.
Important details are not provided in the available report, including the full study methods, the precise statistical uncertainty around the 70% comparison, and whether researchers adjusted for other fall risks. Falls were self-reported, and the follow-up period was a median of 350 days, while the reported question concerned falls in the previous 12 months. It is not clear from the report how the timing of those events aligned with enrollment and measurement.
The results concern adults older than 78 and should not automatically be generalized to younger people or all older adults. The report also does not say whether the findings have been published in a peer-reviewed journal or describe an intervention that changed participants’ outcomes.
Further Study and Clinical Review
The findings were presented at the AHA’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026. Further research would be needed to confirm the association, clarify the role of blood pressure patterns and other fall risks, and test whether adding home readings to care improves outcomes. The available report does not announce a next study or provide a publication timeline.
Wang encouraged older adults, family members and caregivers to measure blood pressure at home regularly and share the information with a health care team. The AHA guideline supports home monitoring as part of an integrated care plan. Anyone concerned about readings, falls or treatment should discuss them with a health professional rather than altering medication based on this preliminary study.
Key Questions
What is masked high blood pressure?
In this study, it meant high readings at home but not in the medical office. Comparing measurements from both settings can reveal a pattern that an office reading alone may miss.
How much higher was the fall rate?
The study reported a 70% higher rate of falls among participants with masked high blood pressure than among those with high readings both at home and in the office. This is a comparison between groups, not evidence that masked hypertension caused falls.
How many people took part?
The study included 758 adults older than 78. During a median follow-up of 350 days, 23.4% reported at least one fall in the previous 12 months.
Does the study show that home monitoring prevents falls?
No. It found an association between blood pressure patterns and falls; it did not test whether monitoring or changing treatment prevents falls. The report also says researchers do not yet know why the groups differed.
What should older adults do with home readings?
The study author recommended sharing regular home readings with a health care team. The AHA guideline describes home monitoring as part of an integrated care plan; people should consult a clinician about readings or treatment rather than changing medication on their own.
Source: rss
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